JOHNA.SEAVERNS 


Webster  Family  Library  of  Veterinary  Medicine 

Cumr  lary  Medicine  at 

Tuf 

200  \ 

North  G        :,  MA  01 536 


%, 


HORSEMANSHIP  FOR  WOMEN 


BY 

THEODORE  H.  MEAD 


WITH  ILLUSTRATIONS  BY  GRAY  PARKER 


NEW    YORK 
HARPER   &   BROTHERS,  FRANKLIN   SQUARE 

1887 


Copyright,  1887,  by  Harper  k  Brothers. 


All  rights  reierved. 


CONTENTS. 


PART     I.  PAGE 

Amateur  Horse -training 1 

Lessox 

I.    COMING   TO  THE  "WHIP 15 

II.  To  Hold  the  Bit  Lightly  {Flexion  de  la  mdchoire), 

Tseng  the  Curb 21 

III.  To  Hold  the  Bit  Lightly,  using  the  Snaffle  .     .  24 

IV.  To  Lower  the  Head 25 

V.  To  Bend  the  Neck  to  Right  and  Left,  with  the 

Relns  Held  Below  the  Bit  (Flexions  de  I'enco- 

lure) 32 

VI.  To  Bend  the  Neck  to  Right  and  Left,  with  the 

Relns  Thrown  Oyer  the  Neck 35 

VII.  To  Move  the  Croup  to  Right  and  Left  with  the 

Whip 38 

VIII.  Mounted 41 

IX.  Mounted  {continued) 48 

X.  The  Walk 51 

XI.  To  Move  the  Croup  with  Heel  and  Whd?  {Pirou- 
ette rerwersee) 52 

XII.  To  Guide  "Bridlewise" 55 

XIII.  The  Trot 58 

XIV.  The  Gallop,  Hand-gallop,  and  Canter    ....  64 
XV.  The  Pirouette,  Deux  Pistes,  Passage 71 

XVI.  Backing 75 

XVII.  Riding  ln  Circles.— Change  of  Leading  Foot  .     .  79 


iv  CONTENTS. 

PART     II.  PAGE 

Etiquette  in  the  Saddle 87 

Dress 88 

The  Mount 91 

Mounting 92 

The  Start 99 

On  which  Side  to  Ride 100 

The  Seat 102 

On  the  Road 107 

The  Pace 112 

Turning 112 

The  Groom 116 

PART  III. 

Leaping 118 

PART  IV. 

Buying  a  Saddle-horse 132 

Parts  and  "Points " of  the  Horse,  Alphabetically  Arranged  .  135 

List  of  Diseases  and  Defects 148 

INDEX 157 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE 

Coming  to  the  Whip 6 

A  good  Saddle 13 

A  properly  fitted  Curb-chain 16 

Flexion  of  the  Jaw — using  the  Curb 22 

Lowering  the  Head 26 

Punishment  in  case  of  Resistance 27 

"Pulling  the  Hands  steadily  Apart" 33 

To  Bend  the  Neck  to  Right  or  Left,  with  the  Reins  below  the  Bits     .  34 

Getting  the  Horse  "  Light  in  Hand  " 35 

Pulling  on  the  Right  Rein 36 

Moving  the  Croup  one  step  to  the  Right 39 

Getting  a  Horse  accustomed  to  Skirts 42 

Showing  Reins  in  Left  Hand 43 

Advancing  at  touch  of  Heel 44 

Stopping  at  touch  of  Whip  on  Back 45 

The  Walk  (Colt  in  Training) 46 

<  Bending  the  Neck  to  Right  and  Left 49 

Moving  the  Croup  with  the  Heel  and  Whip 53 

Guiding  Bridlewise  (Turning  to  the  Right) 56 

The  Canter 65 

Ordinary  Pirouette VI 

Going  on  "  Deux  Pistes  " 72 

The  Passage 73 

Backing 76 

Reins  in  Hand 77 


VI  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE 

Act  of  changing  Reins    .     . 77 

Leadirig  with  the  Right  Fore -foot 80 

Leading  with  the  Left  Fore-foot 82 

Ready  to  Mount 94 

"  One,  Two,  Three  " 95 

Placing  the  Foot  in  the  Stirrup 96 

Position  in  Saddle 97 

A  Square  and  Proper  Seat 103 

Method  of  holding  the  Reins  in  both  Hands Ill 

Approaching  a  Fence 119 

A  Water  Jump 121 

Rising  to  the  Leap 127 

Coming  Down 129 

Parts  and  "  Points  " 136 

The  sort  of  Horse  to  Buy 146 

The  sort  of  Horse  not  to  Buy 149 


HORSEMANSHIP  FOR  WOMEN. 


PART   I. 
AMATEUR  HORSE-TRAINING. 

"My  dear"  said  my  wife,  "you  don't  mean  to  say 
you  have  bought  that  horse?" 

"Why,  yes,  indeed,"  replied  I;  "and  very  cheap,  too. 
And  why  not  ?" 

"  You  will  never  get  your  money  back,"  said  she, 
"no  matter  how  cheap  you  have  bought  him.  Don't 
keep  him.     Send  him  back  before  it  is  too  late." 

It  was  a  sultry  July  morning,  and  my  wife  stood  on 
the  farm-house  porch,  in  provokingly  fresh  attire,  while 
I  held  my  new  acquisition  by  the  bridle  in  the  scorch- 
ing sun  ;  and  just  recovering  as  I  was  from  illness,  this 
conversation  struck  me  as  really  anything  but  tonic  in 
its  character.  However,  bracing  myself  up,  I  replied, 
"But  I  don't  want  to  get  my  money  back ;  I  intend  to 
train  him  for  my  own  use  under  the  saddle." 

"Oh,  you    can    never   do  anything  with  that  great 


2  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

horse.     Why,  he  is  the  awkwardest  brute  I  ever  saw. 
Just  look  at  hitn  now  !" 

In  fact,  his  appearance  was  anything  but  beautiful 
at  that  moment.  His  Roman  nose,  carried  a  long  way 
forward  and  a  little  on  one  side,  gave  him  somewhat 
the  air  of  a  camel ;  his  coat  showed  no  recent  acquaint- 
ance with  the  brush ;  and  as  he  stood  there  sleepily  in 
the  sun,  with  one  hind-leg  hitched  up,  he  did  not  pre- 
sent at  all  a  picture  to  charm  a  lady's  eye.  Neverthe- 
less, he  was,  in  fact,  a  reasonably  well-made  horse,  a  full 
black,  fifteen  and  three-quarter  hands  high,  sound,  kind, 
and  seven  years  old. 

"  He's  just  horrid,"  sai%d  my  wife. 

"  Oh,  that's  nothing,"  said  I ;  "  that's  only  a  bad  habit 
he  has.  We  will  soon  cure  him  of  such  slovenly  tricks. 
Just  see  what  good  points  he  has.  His  legs  are  a  little 
long,  to  be  sure,  but  they  are  broad,  and  have  excellent 
hoofs ;  his  breast  is  narrow,  but  then  it  is  deep ;  and 
that  large  nostril  was  not  given  him  for  nothing.  You 
will  see  he  will  run  like  a  race-horse." 

"If  you  once  get  him  started  you  can  never  stop 
him,"  said  my  wife.  "You  know  how  he  pulls,  and 
how  nervous  he  is.  He  will  go  till  he  drops.  You 
are  not  strong  enough  to  ride  such  a  horse." 

"Oh,  nonsense,"  said  I;  "you  can  see  that  there  is 
no  mischief  in  him.  Look  what  a  kind  eye  he  has! 
The  fact  is,  horses  are  often  very  sensitive;  and  while 
this  one  may  never  have  been  cruelly  treated,  yet  he 


AMATEUR    HORSE-TRAINING.  3 

has  been  misunderstood,  and  bis  feelings  hurt  a  great 
many  times  a  day.  Human  beings  are  the  only  things 
he  seems  afraid  of.  As  for  his  awkward  carriage,  it  is 
no  worse  than  that  of  the  farm  hand  who  has  made 
such  a  failure  of  trying  to  use  him,  and  who  is,  never- 
theless, when  he  stands  up  straight,  a  well-made,  good- 
looking  fellow.  A  little  careful  handling  will  make 
that  animal  as  different  from  his  present  self  as  a  dan- 
dified English  sergeant  is  from  the  raw  recruit  he  once 
was.     What  do  you  think  of  his  name  ?     It  is  Sambo." 

But  my  wife  was  not  to  be  led  off  on  any  side  ques- 
tion, and  after  intimating  that  such  a  plebeian  appella- 
tion struck  her  as  quite  suitable,  she  continued  ;  "  Now 
you  know  that  Mr. "  (the  farmer  of  whom  I  pur- 
chased) "knows  a  great  deal  more  about  horses  than 
you  do;  you  must  admit  that,  for  he  has  been  buying 
and  selling  and  driving  them  all  his  life,  and  lie  doesn't 
like  him,  or  he  wouldn't  sell  so  cheap ;  and  as  for 
training  him,  for  my  part  I  don't  believe  horse-training 
can  be  learned  out  of  books,  as  a  woman  would  learn  a 
receipt  for  making  cake.  Do  get  him  to  take  the  horse 
back !" 

Now  I  have  a  great  respect  for  my  wife's  opinion  in 
general,  and  in  this  particular  case  all  her  points  seemed 
well  taken. 

The  horse  was  tall,  and  I  was  short ;  he  was  excitable, 
and  I  hadn't  the  strength  of  a  boy;  he  was  very  awk- 
ward, and   I  had    never   trained  a  horse   in   my  life. 


4  HORSEMANSHIP    FOE   WOMEN. 

However,  I  bad  been  reading  up  a  little  on  tbe  subject, 
and  feeling  tbe  confidence  in  myself  which  a  very  little 
knowledge  is  apt  to  impart,  I  was  determined  to  try 
my  band. 

I  bad  remarked  that  there  was  a  certain  French  sys- 
tem which  was,  in  the  several  works  I  had  consulted, 
always  spoken  of  with  respect  as  a  complete  and  origi- 
nal method,  so  I  obtained  a  copy  of  the  book,  in  which 
is  set  forth  the  Methods  cT Equitation  hasee  sur  de 
nouveaux  Principes,  par  F.  Baucher,  and  having  dis- 
entangled (no  easy  task)  what  was  really  practical  from 
the  enveloping  mass  of  conceited  sham  scientific  non- 
sense, I  had  numbered  the  margin  so  as  to  make  a  series 
of  simple  progressive  lessons  of  half  an  hour  each. 
The  volume  in  question,  which  was  not,  by-the-bye,  the 
present  improved  edition,  I  now  produced  in  a  some- 
what dog-eared  condition  from  under  my  arm.  My 
wife,  seeing  that  remonstrance  was  of  no  avail,  took  a 
seat  on  the  veranda,  so  as  to  be  ready  to  advise  and 
assist,  while  my  excellent  friends,  the  farmer  and  his 
wife,  came  out  "  to  see  the  circus,"  as  they  said,  and 
established  themselves  in  suitable  midsummer  attitudes, 
with  countenances  of  amused  expectation. 

"  The  first  few  lessons  must  be  given  on  foot,"  said 
I,  and  spreading  my  Baucher  open  upon  the  "  horse- 
block," I  proceeded  to  carry  out  its  first  injunction  by 
placing  myself,  with  riding -whip  under  my  arm,  in 
front   of    the   horse,  which   was   already   saddled   and 


AMATEUR    HORSE-TRAINING.  5 

bridled,  and  "looking  him  kindly  in  the  face."  He 
bore  my  gaze  with  equanimity,  bnt  when  the  riding- 
whip  was  produced  he  started  violently;  and  when  I 
raised  my  hand  to  pat  his  neck  reassuringly  he  threw 
up  his  head  and  ran  back.  This  evidently  was  not 
temper,  but  alarm.  Clearly,  moral  suasion  was  not  the 
kind  that  had  been  used  with  him  hitherto.  In  plain 
English,  he  had  been  beaten  on  the  head ;  and  it  was 
some  time  before  he  got  over  the  impression  made  by 
such  ill-treatment  and  ceased  dodging  at  every  sudden 
motion  on  my  part. 

However,  a  lump  of  sugar  gave  the  poor  fellow  more 
confidence,  and,  avoiding  all  brusque  movements,  I  went 
on  to  give  him  the  first  lesson  of  the  Baucher  series, 
viz.,  To  Come  to  the  Whij?. 

It  is  encouraging  for  beginners  that  this  lesson,  while 
producing  conspicuous  results,  is  in  most  cases  very 
easv.  In  less  than  half  an  hour  my  audience  was  not 
a  little  surprised  to  see  Sambo  come  to  me  at  the  slight- 
est motion  of  the  whip,  and  follow  me  about  with  neck 
arched,  ears  pricked  up,  and  eyes  lustrous  with  the 
unwonted  pleasure  of  comprehending  and  voluntarily 
carrying  out  his  master's  wishes. 

"Well,  that's  very  pretty,"  said  the  farmer;  "but 
what's  the  good  of  it  ?" 

This  criticism,  it  may  be  remarked,  he  continued  to 
repeat  at  every  step  in  the  horse's  education.  He  did 
not  "  see  the  good  "  of  a  double  bridle  with  two  bits. 


6  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

He  did  not  see  the  good  of  teaching  the  horse  to  relax 
the  muscles  of  his  jaw  and  to  hold  the  bit  lightly  in  the 
mouth.  He  did  not  see  the  good  of  suppling  the  vari- 
ous muscles  of  the  neck,  on  which,  nevertheless,  depend 
to  a  surprising  degree  the  balance  of  the  whole  body 
and  the  easy  motion  of  the  limbs.     In  fact,  he  main- 


^-H 


COMING   TO   THE    WHIP. 


tained  his  attitude  of  amused  and  ffood-iiatnred  incre- 
"dnlity  until  one  day,  after  about  three  weeks,  I  rode 
Sambo  into  the  lawn,  his  neck  arched  and  tail  displayed, 
and,  with  the  reins  hanging  on  my  little  finger,  made 
him  cut  circles  and  figure  eights  of  all  sizes  at  a  spank- 
ing trot. 

Then  my  good  farmer  gave  up,  and  said  he  really 


AMATEUR    HORSE-TRAINING.  7 

would  hardly  have  believed  it  could  be  the  same  horse. 
What  is  more,  he  took  off  his  own  driving  horses  "the 
overdrawn  check-reins"  by  which  he  had  been  hauling 
their  noses  up  into  as  near  a  horizontal  line  as  possible, 
and  allowed  them  to  carry  their  heads  in  a  more  natural 
manner. 

The  afternoon  of  his  first  lesson  Sambo  was  put  in 
double  harness  for  a  drive  of  ten  or  twelve  miles,  during 
which  he  annoyed  me  excessively  by  his  restless  dancing 
and  fretting,  so  that  next  morning  I  expected  to  have 
to  begin  all  over  again  ;  but,  to  my  satisfaction,  he  had 
forgotten  nothing,  and  came  towards  me  at  the  first  mo- 
tion of  the  whip,  so  that  I  passed  on  to  the  Flexions  de 
la  Mdchoire,  which  we  translate  as  the  suppling  of  the 
muscles  of  the  jaw.  Here  I  came  upon  my  first  diffi- 
culty, and  it  lasted  me  several  day's.  It  was,  however, 
the  only  serious  one  in  my  whole  course,  and  from  sub- 
sequent experience  I  am  satisfied  that  my  own  awk- 
wardness and  disposition  to  compel  obedience  by  main 
force  were  the  principal  causes  of  it. 

However,  success  soon  rewarded  my  perseverance, 
and  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  feeling  the  iron  grip  of 
the  bit  relax,  and  seeing  the  nose  brought  in  and  the 
face  assume  a  perpendicular  position. 

Without  at  present  going  further  into  detail,  I  will 
simply  say  that  at  the  expiration  of  a  month,  during 
which  Sambo  had  been  driven  double  almost  daily,  his 
education  for  the  saddle  had  so  far  advanced  that  his 


8  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR   WOMEN. 

head  was  admirably  carried,  his  trot  was  greatly  im- 
proved— his  walk  always  had  been  light  and  swift — he 
could  trot  sideways  to  the  right  or  left,  could  pirouette 
to  the  right  or  to  the  left  on  the  hind-feet  or  on  the 
fore-feet,  responding  to  the  pressure  of  the  rein  upon 
his  neck  or  of  the  leg  against  his  side,  while  he  had  be- 
come so  steady  that  I  could  fire  at  a  mark  with  a  pistol 
from  his  back. 

All  this  was  very  satisfactory  progress,  especially  in 
view  of  my  total  inexperience,  poor  health,  and  the  heat 
of  the  weather ;  but  there  is  no  doubt  that  any  active 
young  girl  of  sixteen  or  eighteen  can  do  the  like,  for  it 
was  accomplished  not  by  any  mysterious  or  difficult  proc 
ess,  nor  by  any  exertion  of  physical  strength,  but  by  pa- 
tiently following  out,  step  by  step,  the  processes  which 
I  am  about  to  describe,  and  which  are  substantially  those 
of  Baucher,  adapted  to  the  use  of  a  person  of  total  in- 
experience, and  that  person  a  lady. 

If  any  such,  having  accompanied  me  thus  far,  feels 
the  impulse  to  try  to  improve  her  own  mount,  I  will 
confide  to  her  the  fact  that  the  incidents  narrated  really 
occurred  within  the  last  few  years  not  a  hundred  miles 
from  Isew  York ;  and  I  hope  that  the  following  propo- 
sitions, which  are  literally  true,  will  help  to  encourage 
her  to  an  undertaking  in  which  she  will  find  amuse- 
ment, exercise,  and  a  discipline  as  useful  to  herself  as  to 
her  horse  : 

1.  If,  as  is  very  likely,  you  feel  a  little  afraid  of  your 


AMATEUR    HORSE-TKAIXIXG.  9 

horse,  you  may  be  assured  that  your  horse  is  a  great 
deal  more  afraid  of  you. 

2.  If  }rou  can  only  make  clear  to  him  what  you  wish 
him  to  do,  he  will  try  his  best  to  do  it,  and  will  feel 
amply  repaid  for  his  efforts  by  a  few  kind  words  and 
caresses. 

3.  His  narrow  brain  can  entertain  only  one  idea  at 
once,  and  therefore  only  one  problem,  and  that  a  simple 
one,  must  be  given  him  at  a  time. 

■i.  Once  the  problem  is  mastered,  a  very  little  practice 
makes  the  performance  of  the  task  instinctive,  so  that  it 
will  be  performed  at  the  proper  signal,  even  against  his 
own  will,  provided  his  mind  is  occupied  with  something 
else. 

This  course  of  lessons  is  prepared  with  these  facts  in 
view. 

"  But  is  horse-breaking  a  fitting  amusement  for  young 
ladies?"  a  mother  asks,  and  with  an  air  indicating  that 
to  her,  at  least,  a  reply  seems  quite  unnecessary.  My 
dear  madam,  it  is  not  horse-breaking  we  are  talking 
of,  but  horse-training,  which  is  a  very  different  thing. 
There  are,  doubtless,  many  women  who  could  break  a 
colt  if  they  chose,  but  it  is  an  undertaking  which  we 
certainly  do  not  recommend.  In  the  "  breaking  to  har- 
ness" of  an  untamed  horse  there  is  naturally  included 
more  or  less  of  training,  but  the  essential  lesson  to  be 
taught  is  that  it  is  useless  to  resist  the  will  of  man,  for 
sooner  or  later  the  horse  will  test  the  question,  and  put 


10  HORSEMANSHIP   FOR   WOMEN. 

forth  every  effort  to  throw  off  control.  When,  however, 
panting  and  exhausted,  he  finally  submits,  he  has  learned 
the  necessary  lesson  ;  and  whether  it  be  after  a  long 
fight  with  a  brutal  rough-rider,  or  a  physically  painless 
struggle  with  an  adroit  Rarey,  he  has  learned  it  for  life. 
Henceforth  he  accepts  the  supremacy  of  the  human 
race,  and,  unless  under  the  goad  of  maddening  pain  or 
terror,  will  never,  save  in  rare  instances,  really  rebel ; 
obeying  not  men  only,  but  women,  children,  and  even 
the  very  tools  and  implements  of  man,  so  that  a  dog 
may  lead  him  by  the  bridle.  Like  a  spoiled  child,  how- 
ever, a  horse  will  sometimes  presume  upon  indulgence, 
and,  to  use  a  mother's  phrase,  will  try  to  see  how  far  he 
can  go. 

At  such  times  he  is  best  opposed  not  by  violence, 
but  by  firmness,  reinforced,  perhaps,  now  and  then  by  a 
sharp  cut  with  the  whip,  which,  given  unexpectedly  at 
the  precise  moment  of  disobedience,  will  have  the  set- 
tling effect  ascribed  to  the  time-honored  nursery  "  spank," 
and  will  bring  him  to  his  senses.  Generally,  however, 
what  seems  insubordination  is  in  reality  nervousness, 
which  requires  soothing,  not  punishment,  and  which 
you  will  be  careful  not  to  increase  by  fidgeting  or  by 
brusque  movements  of  the  reins.  Even  when  severity 
is  needed,  a  reproof  in  a  cold,  stern  tone  is  often  more 
effective  than  the  lash. 

Thousands  of  young  girls,  who  for  various  reasons 
cannot  ride  in  winter,  have  every  summer  within  reach 


AMATEUR    HORSE-TRAIXIXG.  11 

horses  quite  as  good  as  the  average  of  those  at  city  rid- 
ing-schools, but  which  they  are  never  allowed  to  mount. 
They  look  wistfully  at  the  honest  animals,  longing 
for  the  exercise  which  would  be  so  beneficial  to  their 
health  and  to  their  physical  development,  while  so  de- 
lightfully exhilarating  to  their  spirits;  but  one  horse  is 
pronounced  "skittish,"  another  "hard-mouthed,"  and  so 
on  to  the  end.  Nevertheless,  some  enterprising  damsel 
manages  to  overcome  all  opposition,  and,  skirted,  hatted, 
gloved,  sets  off  in  fine  spirits.  The  horse,  accustomed 
to  the  resistance  of  a  heavy  vehicle,  moves  forward  with 
slow  and  heavy  strides.  Urged  to  greater  speed,  he  rolls 
his  shoulders  so  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  rise  to  his 
trot.  When  put  to  the  canter  he  pounds  along  the  road, 
his  hind-feet  kept  far  in  the  rear  and  his  head  swaying 
up  and  down,  while,  missing  the  customary  support  of 
the  bearing-rein,  he  all  the  time  leans  his  heavy  head 
on  his  rider's  delicate  arm,  till  it  seems  as  if  she  would 
be  pulled  out  of  the  saddle.  However,  the  fresh  open 
air  is  there,  and  the  scenery ;  exercise,  too,  in  plenty, 
and  the  pleasure  of  independent  movement,  so  that  our 
heroine  is  half  inclined  to  persevere.  But,  alas !  an 
equestrian  party  on  well -bitted,  light -stepping  horses 
sweeps  by,  casting  a  pitying  glance  at  her  rustic  mount 
and  helpless  plight.  Mortified  and  discouraged,  she  goes 
home  and  dismounts,  determined  not  to  try  again.  Nev- 
ertheless, her  horse  is  very  likely  quite  as  good  as  theirs, 
and  all  he  wants  is  a  little  "  handling,"  as  the  horsemen 


12  HORSEMANSHIP   FOR    WOMEN. 

say.  For  twenty-five  dollars  a  riding-master  will  turn 
him  over  to  her  as  docile  and  supple  as  any  of  them, 
and,  with  a  little  time  and  trouble,  she  can  do  it  herself 
for  nothing. 

As  for  the  proficiency  in  riding  requisite,  it  is  only 
necessary  that  you  should  not  depend  upon  the  reins  for 
your  balance — a  common  habit,  but  one  destructive  of 
all  delicacy  of  the  horse's  mouth. 

As  the  first  half-dozen  lessons  of  this  course  are  to  be 
given  on  foot,  a  riding-habit  would  only  be  in  the  way ; 
so  go  to  your  first  tete-a-tete  with  your  new  scholar  in  a 
stout  walking-dress,  easy  in  the  waist,  short  of  skirt,  and 
of  stuff  that  will  bear  scouring,  for  frothy  lips  will  cer- 
tainly be  wiped  on  it.  Let  the  hat  be  trim,  the  gloves 
strong  and  old,  and  the  boots  heavy  with  low  heels. 

The  saddle  should,  if  possible,  be  of  the  safe  and  easy 
modern  pattern,  writh  hunting-horn  and  lowT  pommel  on 
the  right  side — but  of  course  any  one  which  does  not 
gall  the  horse  can  be  made  to  do.  It  should  have  at 
least  two  strong  girths,  and  must  be  so  padded  with  wool 
as  not  to  touch  the  backbone.  Make  sure,  before  put- 
ting it  on,  that  there  are  no  tacks  loose  or  likely  to  be- 
come so  in  the  lining. 

The  bridle  should  be  a  double  one,  with  one  "snanle': 
or  jointed  bit,  and  one  curb-bit,  each  having,  of  course, 
separate  reins  and  headstalls.  By-and-by  you  can  use  a 
single  bridle,  if  you  prefer,  with  whichever  bit  you  think 
best  suited  to  your  hand  and  vour  horse's  mouth. 


AMATEUR    HORSE-TRAINING. 


13 


The  whip  should  be  elastic  and  capable  of  giving  a 
sharp  cut  (though  you  may  never  need  to  administer 
one  with  it),  and  it  is  convenient  to  have  a  loop  of  cord 
or  ribbon  by  which  it  may  be  hung  to  the  wrist.  A 
good  birch  switch  is  better  for  your  present  purpose 
than  the  usual  flimsy  "lady's  whip;"  and  if  you  are  in 


A  GOOD   SADDLE. 


the  country,  it  makes  a  good  whip  to  begin  with,  as  you 
will  probably  soon  wish  to  substitute  a  crop. 

The  place  of  instruction  should  be  as  retired  as  possi- 
ble, so  that  there  may  be  nothing  to  distract  the  horse's 
attention. 


14  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

For  the  first  few  lessons  it  will  be  well,  if  you  are  not 
thoroughly  at  home  with  horses,  to  have  a  man — some 
friend  or  attendant — near  at  hand  to  give  you  confi- 
dence by  his  presence,  and  to  come  to  your  aid  in  case 
of  necessity. 


COMING   TO   THE   WHIP.  15 


LESSON  I. 

COMING  TO  THE  WHIP. 

Have  the  horse  brought  saddled  and  bridled.  Walk 
quietly  up  in  front  of  him,  with  your  riding-whip  under 
your  arm,  and  look  him  kindly  in  the  face.  See  that 
the  bridle  fits  properly,  as  a  careless  groom  may  have 
neglected  to  adjust  it  to  the  length  of  the  head. 

The  throat-latch  should  be  loose  enough  to  permit  the 
chin  to  come  easily  to  the  breast ;  the  bits  should  lie  in 
their  proper  place  on  the  bars,  and  the  curb-chain  should 
lie  flat  in  the  chin  groove,  just  tight  enough  to  allow 
your  fore-finger  to  pass  under  it. ,  The  bars  are  that  part 
of  the  gum  between  the  grinders,  or  back  teeth,  and  the 
nippers,  or  front  teeth,  which  in  the  mare  is  destitute  of 
teeth,  and  in  the  horse  has  a  tusk  called  the  bridle-tooth. 

It  is  upon  these  bars,  of  course,  that  the  bits  should 
lie,  and  the  curb -bit,  according  to  military  rule,  at  an 
inch  above  the  tusk.  By  general  usage  they  are  placed 
too  high,  the  proper  place  of  the  curb-bit  being  not  up 
in  the  corner  of  the  lips,  but  opposite  or  nearly  opposite 
the  chin  groove,  which  is  just  above  the  swell  of  the 
lower  lip.     If  the  curb -chain  is  too  loose  the  bit  will 


16 


HOESEMANSHIP    FOE   WOMEN. 


"fall  through,"  or  turn  around  in  the  mouth.  If  it  is 
too  tight,  or  is  ill  adjusted,  or  if,  from  the  bits  being  too 
high,  it  slips  up  where  the  skin  is  thinner  and  the  bones 
sharper,  it  will  give  such  pain  that,  to  avoid  it,  the  nose 
will  be  thrust  out  instead  of  being  brought  in.  The 
chain  should  press  below  the  snaffle,  or  the  latter  will 


\ 


■111 

\ 


A  PKOPERLY    FITTED    CURB-CHAIN. 


unhook  it.  Adjust  and  settle  the  various  straps  with 
your  hand,  speaking  kindly  to  your  horse  at  the  same 
time ;  but  when  you  have  begun  to  teach  him,  reserve 
all  praises  and  caresses  to  reward  him  when  he  has  done 
well.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  give  him  a  lump  of  sugar  be- 
fore you  begin  and  after  you  finish  each  lesson. 


COMING   TO   THE    WHIP.  17 

Now,  standing  in  front  of  the  horse,  take  both  curb- 
reins  in  the  left  hand  at  six  inches  below  the  bit,  and, 
with  the  whip  held  tip  downward  in  the  right  hand, 
strike  him  a  light  blow  on  the  breast ;  in  about  a  second 
give  him  another,  and  continue  striking  at  the  same 
interval,  looking  calmly  at  him  the  while,  and  following 
him  if  he  steps  backward  or  sideways. 

Sooner  or  later,  and  usually  very  soon,  he  will  come 
straight  towards  you  ;  then  instantly  relax  his  head,  say 
"  Bravo  !  bravo  !"  and  stroke  him  on  the  face  and  neck. 
You  will  very  likely  hear  him  give  a  deep  sigh  of  re- 
lief, like  a  frightened  child.  Give  him  half  a  minute 
or  more,  according  to  circumstances,  to  look  about  and 
recover  from  his  nervousness  —  for  you  will  find  that 
his  nerves  work  a  good  deal  like  your  own — and  then 
begin  again,  allowing  him  after  every  trial  a  half-min- 
ute or  so  of  rest. 

It  will  not  be  long  before  he  discovers  that  the  way 
to  avoid  the  whip  is  to  come  straight  to  you,  and  he 
will  do  so  at  the  least  motion  of  it.  Take  advantage 
of  this  to  make  him  curve  his  neck,  put  his  head  in  the 
proper  perpendicular  position,  and  bring  his  haunches 
under  him,  by  holding  him  back  with  the  curb-reins  as 
he  presses  towards  you.  This  lesson,  to  a  careless  ob- 
server, looks  rather  pretty  than  useful,  but  is  indispen- 
sable for  your  purpose,  for  it  gives  you  the  means  of 
preventing  the  horse  from  backing  while  you  are  teach- 
ing him  the  flexions  of  the  jaw  and  of  the  neck.  It 
2 


18  HORSEMANSHIP    FOK    WOMEN. 

shows  him,  also,  that  the  whip  is  only  to  be  dreaded 
when  he  disobeys,  so  that  later  on  it  will  become  in 
your  hands,  strange  as  it  may  now  seem  to  yon,  a  pow- 
erful means  of  calming  his  ardor  and  soothing  his  im- 
patience, and  thus  sparing  your  bridle-hand  the  some- 
times excessive  fatigue  of  restraining  his  impetuosity. 

In  practice  it  is  not  necessary  to  carry  this  instruc- 
tion to  the  point  where  the  horse  will  come  to  you 
from  so  great  a  distance  as  shown  in  the  accompanying 
cut,  though  there  is  no  difficulty  in  so  doing. 

A  certain  English  nobleman  used  to  say  that  a  man 
was  as  much  above  his  ordinary  self  on  horseback  as 
he  was  at  other  times  above  the  brutes.  Possibly  more 
than  one  young  equestrian,  remembering  the  exhilara- 
tion of  some  morning  ride,  the  quickened  appreciation, 
the  redoubled  enjoyment  of  the  beauties  of  nature, 
and  of  the  charm  of  congenial  companionship,  will  be 
ready  to  echo  the  sentiment.  It  is  only  true,  how- 
ever, even  approximately,  ivhen  the  rider  controls  all  the 
forces  of  the  horse,  and  it  is  the  object  of  the  present 
article  to  put  this  perfect  control  within  the  reach  of 
every  one  willing  to  take  the  time  and  trouble  to  ac- 
quire it,  for  not  daring,  but  calmness,  not  strength,  but 
perseverance,  are  the  qualities  requisite. 

Both  time  and  trouble  undoubtedly  will  be  required, 
for  while,  by  even  a  careless  use  of  this  method,  your 
horse  may  be  made  vastly  more  comfortable  under  the 
saddle,  yet  only  by  tact  and  patience  can  you  win  that 


COMIXG   TO    THE    WHIP.  19 

mastery  over  his  every  volition  by  which  his  splendid 
strength,  courage,  and  endurance  will  seem  to  be  added 
to  your  own.  You  will  find  him,  however,  no  tiresome 
pupil.  On  the  contrary,  every  day  will  increase  your 
pleasure  both  in  his  progress  and  in  his  companionship, 
for  he  will  soon  become  attached  to  you,  and  will  now 
and  then  turn  his  head  and  look  at  you  with  such  an 
expression  in  his  eyes  that  you  will  think  the  old  belief 
in  the  transmigration  of  souls  not  so  very  wonderful 
after  all.  You  will,  besides,  find  in  your  lessons  no 
contemptible  discipline  of  character,  for  you  will  have 
to  conquer  your  natural  timidity  in  feeling  your  weak- 
ness opposed  to  his  strength,  to  suppress  your  impa- 
tience when  he  is  slow  of  apprehension,  to  remain  calm 
when  he  is  restive,  and  to  award  him  your  caresses,  not 
because  his  neck  is  sleek  and  beautiful,  but  because  he 
has  done  exactly  as  you  directed.  You  will  find  also 
that  thejr  will  have  a  tendency  to  improve  your  seat,  by 
taking  your  attention  from  yourself,  and  with  it  some 
of  the  involuntary  stiffness  always  born  of  self -con- 
sciousness. 

A  different,  but  equally  practical,  result  of  knowing 
something  of  horse-training  is  that  wherever  you  may 
be  you  will  have  no  difficulty  in  getting  a  mount — 
no  small  advantage  either,  as  many  an  enthusiastic 
young  girl  can  testify  as  she  remembers  the  stony  look 
which  came  over  some  comfortable  farmer's  counte- 
nance when  she  confidingly  asked  to  ride  one  of  his 


20  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR   WOMEN. 

round-bellied  horses.  Many  an  owner  of  a  trained  sad- 
dle-horse would  gladly  have  him  ridden  carefully  by 
one  capable  of  keeping  him  "in  good  form,"  while 
every  horse-owner,  no  matter  how  poor  his  nags,  dreads 
an  ignorant  rider  as  he  does  the  epizooty.  Probably 
scores  of  country  stable  -  keepers  and  thousands  of 
farmers,  after  a  season's  experience  with  ordinary  city 
riders,  have  vowed  never  to  let  a  woman  mount  one  of 
their  horses  again.  One  of  the  former,  at  a  popular 
summer  resort,  said  to  the  writer,  "Two  ladies  hurt  my 
bosses  more  last  summer  than  all  the  rest  of  the  work. 
They  ain't  no  more  saddles  to  be  found  in  my  stable !" 
A  neighboring  farmer,  who  had  at  first  thought  to  reap 
a  golden  harvest  from  his  five  excellent  horses  at  a 
dollar  a  ride,  hereupon  remarked,  "  They  hain't  no 
sense.  They  think  a  horse  will  go  like  a  machine,  and 
all  they've  got  to  do  is  to  turn  steam  on  with  the  whip." 
Very  different  would  have  been  the  verdict  had  the 
riders  but  possessed  even  a  slight  experience  in  train- 
ing, for  the  horses  would  have  come  from  their  hands 
improved  in  mouth  and  gait,  and  almost  certainly  unin- 
jured by  bad  usage. 


TO    HOLD    THE    BIT   LIGHTLY,  USING   THE    CURB.  21 


LESSON  II. 

TO  HOLD  THE  BIT  LIGHTLY  {FLEXION  DE  LA  MACROIRE), 

USING  THE  CURB. 

Begin  by  assuring  yourself  that  the  horse  has  forgot- 
ten nothing  of  the  previous  lesson.  Do  not  allow  him 
to  sidle  up  to  you  upon  your  movement  of  the  whip 
towards  him,  nor  to  twist  his  nose  towards  you,  but  make 
him  advance  in  a  straight  line. 

Now,  standing  at  the  left  of  the  horse's  head,  with 
your  feet  firmly  planted  a  little  way  apart,  take  the  left 
snaffle -rein  in  the  left  hand,  and  the  left  curb-rein  in 
the  right,  at  five  or  six  inches  from  their  respective  bits, 
and  having  brought  the  head  into  the  proper  perpendic- 
ular position,  pull  the  two  hands  apart  with  gentle  but 
steady  force.  Hold  your  whip,  meanwhile,  tip  down- 
ward in  the  right  hand,  to  prevent  him  from  running 
back,  which  can  be  done  without  relaxing  your  pull  by 
tapping  him  with  it  upon  the  breast. 

The  object  of  this  lesson,  as  well  as  of  those  which 
follow,  is  to  overcome  involuntary  muscular  contraction. 
In  some  cases,  as  probably  in  the  present  one,  the  con- 
tractions are  simply  nervous,  and  will  cease  with  the 


22 


HORSEMANSHIP    FOR   WOMEN. 


mental  cause;  in  others  the  muscles  have  grown  into 
improper  positions,  so  that  time  will  be  required  to  set 
them  right. 

Your  object  at  present  is  to  get  the  jaw  relaxed,  so 
that  you  can  move  it  at  pleasure  without  resistance,  and 


FLEXION   OF   THE    JAW — USING   THE    CURB. 

this  may  take  time  and  patience,  for  you  must  not  be 
satisfied  with  anything  less  than  complete  success,  or 
you  will  repent  it  later.  At  first,  however,  seize  the 
slightest  involuntary  opening  of  the  horse's  mouth  as 
an  excuse  to  relax  your  hold,  caress  and  praise  him,  then 


TO    HOLD   THE   BIT   LIGHTLY,  USIXO    THE    CURB.  23 

let  him  stand  a  half-minute  with  his  head  free,  and  be- 
gin again. 

When  he  is  submissive,  and  pleased  with  you,  he  will 
almost  always  show  it  by  gently  champing  his  bit;  but 
do  not  be  deceived  by  a  nervous  simulation  which  you 
will  probably  detect,  and  which  consists  in  opening  the 
mouth  a  very  little  and  immediately  gripping  the  bit 
again.  You  will  have  been  completely  successful  when, 
by  simply  drawing  on  the  curb-reins,  the  head  is  brought 
to  the  proper  perpendicular  position,  and  the  bit,  instead 
of  being  gripped,  is  held  lightly  in  the  mouth,  or,  to  use 
the  school  term,  when  the  horse  is  "  light  in  hand." 

This  is  the  only  lesson  in  the  series  in  which  it  is  pos- 
sible (though  not  probable)  that  your  unaided  strength 
may  be  insufficient ;  if  so,  get  some  one  to  help  you  over 
the  first  resistance  of  the  horse.  With  care  and  tact, 
however,  you  will  in  all  probability  require  no  assist- 
ance. 


24  HORSEMANSHIP    FOE    WOMEN. 


LESSON  III. 
TO  HOLD  THE  BIT  LIGHTLY,  USING  THE  SNAFFLE. 

Begin  by  repeating  in  proper  order  all  that  has  been 
done  at  the  previous  lessons.  Now,  having  got  the  horse 
"light  in  hand"  with  the  curb,  relax  the  curb-rein  and 
try  to  keep  him  light  with  the  snaffle. 

He  will  probably  begin  to  bear  on  it.  If  so,  restrain 
him  by  successive  tugs,  punishing  him  a  little  with  the 
curb,  if  necessary,  and  always  rewarding  him  with  praises 
and  caresses  when  he  does  well.  Avoid  any  violent  use 
of  the  curb,  or  the  horse,  in  his  efforts  to  escape  the  pain, 
may  get  his  tongue  over  the  bit,  and  thus  acquire  a  very 
troublesome  habit.  It  must  be  remembered  that  the  bit 
being  the  principal  channel  of  communication  between 
his  mind  and  yours,  his  whole  attention  is  concentrated 
upon  it,  and  he  is  almost  as  much  disconcerted  by  a  sud- 
den harsh  movement  of  it  as  you  would  be  by  an  unex- 
pected shout  in  your  ear. 

By  this  time  your  groom  is  perhaps  watching  you 
with  interest,  and  may  be  trusted  to  repeat  your  hand- 
ling, thus  saving  you  some  time  and  trouble;  but,  as  a 
general  thing,  two  lessons  a  day  of  from  half  to  three- 
quarters  of  an  hour  each,  are  as  much  as  a  horse  can  re- 
ceive with  profit. 


TO   LOWER   THE    HEAD.  25 


LESSOX   IV. 
TO  LOWER  THE  HEAD. 

Always  look  over  your  horse  before  beginning  your 
instruction,  to  see  that  he  has  not  met  with  any  mishap. 
Observe  that  his  eye  is  bright  and  that  he  feels  in  good 
spirits ;  run  your  eye  over  his  limbs  to  detect  any  cut, 
bruise,  or  swelling  ;  see  that  the  hoofs  are  not  cracked. 

Assure  yourself  that  he  is  properly  groomed  —  one 
good  test  being  the  absence  of  scurf  at  the  roots  of  the 
mane ;  that  his  mouth  has  been  sponged  out  before  put- 
ting in  the  bit,  his  hoofs  wiped  off  clean — never,  howev- 
er, blacked — and  that  he  is  properly  saddled  and  bridled. 
\Vith  a  little  practice  you  will  do  all  this  in  half  a  min- 
ute, while  you  are  buttoning  your  gloves.  About  once 
a  week  ask  after  his  food  and  appetite,  and  make  the 
groom  show  you  his  shoes;  and  when  the  time  comes 
for  him  to  be  re-shod  (which  should  be  at  least  once  a 
month)  positively  forbid  any  trimming  of  the  frog  or 
of  the  inside  of  the  hoof — any  "  cleaning  up  of  the  foot," 
as  farriers  are  pleased  to  call  it.  The  only  part  to  be 
touched  with  the  knife  is  the  bottom  of  the  outer,  horny 
shell,  which  is  not  half  an  inch  thick;    and  even  this 


26 


HORSEMANSHIP    FOE    WOMEN. 


LOWERING    THE    HEAD. 


must  be  cut  with  moderation,  never  burned  by  fitting 
the  shoe  to  it  hot — the  common  makeshift  of  lazy  far- 
riers— nor  filed  on  the  outside,  as  both  these  operations 
not  only  weaken  the  hoof  but  impair  Nature's  arrange- 
ment for  oiling  and  lubricating  it.  Should  the  horse 
not  bear  equal  weight  on  all  four  legs,  move  him  a  step 
to  see  if  the  faulty  posture  may  not  have  been  acci- 


TO   LOWER    THE    HEAD. 


27 


PUNISHMENT    IN    CASE    OF   RESISTANCE. 


>3 


dental ;  and  if  it  is  repeated,  examine  the  "  favored 
leg,  carefully  laying  your  bare  hand  on  the  hoof  and 
joints  to  detect  inflammation,  feeling  along  the  bones 
for  lumps,  comparing  any  suspicious  spot  with  the  same 
part  of  the  corresponding  leg,  observing  whether  it  is 
warmer  or  more  sensitive  than  its  fellow. 

Having  assured  yourself  that  your  horse  is  in  perfect 


28  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

order,  and  that  he  has  forgotten  nothing  of  your  previ- 
ous instruction,  you  will  now  proceed  to  the  lesson  of 
the  day.  Place  yourself  on  his  left,  or  "near,"  side, 
take  the  snaffle-reins  at  a  few  inches  from  the  bit,  and 
pull  his  head  downward.  Should,  he  not  yield,  cross  the 
reins,  by  taking  the  right  rein  in  the  left  hand  and  vice 
versa,  which  will  pinch  his  jaw  sharply,  and  pull  again 
till  he  drops  his  head,  when  you  will  hold,  it  down  a 
few  seconds,  praising  him  the  while;  then  raise  it  up, 
and  allow  him  a  little  time  to  rest. 

For  our  young  readers  we  give  below  a  few  of  the 
more  usual  technical  terms,  of  which  it  will  be  found 
convenient  to  have  a  knowledge  in  the  course  of  these 
lessons: 

Amble. — A  gait  like  pacing,  but  slower,  in  which  the 
two  legs  on  the  same  side  are  moved  together. 

Appel.— The  gentle  tug  on  the  rein  given  by  the 
horse  at  each  step. 

Arriere-main. — That  part  of  the  horse  back  of  the 
saddle,  called,  not  quite  correctly,  in  this  article,  the 
croup. 

Avant-main. — That  part  of  the  horse  forward  of  the 
saddle — the  forehand. 

Bore. — To  lean  on  the  bit. 

Bridle-tooth.  —  Tusk  found  in  the  horse's  mouth, 
though  not  in  the  mare's,  between  nippers  and  grinders. 

Bucking.  —  Leaping  vertically  into  the  air  with  all 
four  feet  at  once. 


TO    LOWER    THE    HEAD.  29 

Chin  Groove. — That  part  of  under  jaw  next  the  swell 
of  lower  lip  in  which  curb-chain  rests. 

Curb.  —  Bit  without  joint,  with  levers  at  side  and 
chain,  which,  passing  under  jaw,  serves  as  a  fulcrum  to 
communicate  pressure  of  bit  to  bars  of  mouth. 

Deux  Pistes. — To  go  on  deux  pistes  is  to  advance 
with  the  body  placed  obliquely,  so  that  the  hind  feet 
move  on  a  different  line  or  piste  from  the  fore. 

Elbow. — Joint  of  fore-leg  next  above  knee,  lying  next 
horse's  side. 

Fetlock. — Joint  next  below  knee. 

Forearm. — That  part  of  leg  between  elbow  and  knee. 

Forge. — To  strike  the  toe  of  the  fore-foot  with  the 
toe  of  the  hind-foot — usually  the  result  of  bad  shoeing. 

Frog. — Triangular  piece  of  spongy  horn  in  middle  of 
sole  of  foot,  forming  a  cushion  for  the  navicular  bone. 

Grinders. — Back  teeth. 

Hand. — Four  inches  (one-third  of  a  foot). 

Hand-galloj). — A  slow  gallop. 

Haute  Eeole — Haul  Manege. — The  complete  course 
of  training  given  in  the  French  military  riding-schools. 
To  translate  this  by  u  high-school,"  as  is  sometimes  done, 
produces  a  ludicrous  impression. 

Hock. — Joint  of  hind-leg  between  thigh  and  shank. 

Interfere. — To  strike  the  fetlock  with  the  foot — often 
caused  bv  bad  shoeing. 

Manege.  —  Horse  -  training,  also  the  training  -  school 
itself. 


30  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

Nippers. — Front  teeth. 

Pace. — A  rapid  gait,  in  which  the  fore  and  hind  foot 
on  same  side  move  at  same  time  and  strike  the  ground 
together. 

Pastern. — Bones  between  fetlock  and  foot. 

Passage. — Moving  sideways,  as  to  close  up  or  open 
the  ranks,  as  in  cavalry  exercises. 

Pirouette. — Wheeling  on  the  hind-legs. 

Pirouette  renversee. — Wheeling  on  the  fore-legs. 

Piaffer.  —  A  slow  and  cadenced  trot,  in  which  the 
horse  balances  a  certain  time  on  each  pair  of  feet. 

Piste. — The  imaginary  circle  (usually,  however,  a  well- 
beaten  track)  three  feet  from  the  wall  of  the  manege. 

Poll. — Top  of  head  between  the  ears. 

Rack. — A  gait  somewhat  similar  to  single-foot. 

Pamener. — To  bring  the  head  to  the  perpendicular. 

Passeinbler. — To  get  the  horse  together,  with  his  legs 
well  under  him  and  his  head  perpendicular. 

Shank. — Parts  of  fore-leg  between  knee  and  fetlock, 
and  parts  of  hind-leg  between  hock  and  fetlock. 

Single-foot. — A  very  rapid  gait,  taught  principally  in 
the  Western  States  of  America,  in  which  one  foot  is 
put  down  at  a  time. 

Snaffle. — Bit  jointed  in  middle,  without  side  levers  or 
chin-chain. 

Spavins  and  Splints. — Excrescences  on  bones  of  legs, 
usually  caused  by  strain.  When  they  occur  on  the 
fore-shanks  they  are  called  splints,  and  may  do  no  harm. 


TO    LOWER   THE    HEAD..  31 

If  on  the  hind-legs  they  are  called  spavins,  and  usually 
result  in  permanent  lameness. 

Stifle. — Joint  of  hind-leg  between  hip  and  hock,  lying 
against  horse's  side. 

Surcingle.  —  A  girth  extending  entirely  around  the 
horse. 

Thigh.  —  Popularly  speaking,  it  comprises  the  two 
upper  joints  of  hind-leg  from  hip  to  hock. 

Throat-latch. — That  strap  of  the  bridle  which  passes 
under  the  throat. 

Withers. — Highest  point  of  shoulder  between  neck 
and  saddle. 


32  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR   WOMEN. 


LESSON  V. 

TO  BEND  THE  NECK  TO  RIGHT  AND  LEFT,  WITH  THE  REINS 
HELD  BELOW  THE  BIT  {FLEXIONS  BE  L' EXCOLURE). 

Before  beginning  each  lesson  it  is  well,  as  has  been 
already  recommended,  to  review  hastily  the  instruction 
previously  given. 

Now  place  yourself  on  the  left  side  of  your  horse, 
with  your  riding -whip  tip  downward  in  your  right 
hand,  and  with  your  feet  firmly  planted  a  little  apart. 
Take  the  right  curb-rein  in  your  right  hand  at  about  six 
inches  from  the  lever  of  the  bit,  and  the  left  curb-rein 
in  your  left  at  three  inches  from  the  lever,  and  having 
brought  the  horse's  head  to  a  perpendicular  position, 
pull  the  two  hands  steadily  apart,  moving  the  right 
hand  to  the  right  and  the  left  hand  to  the  left,  so  as  to 
pry  the  horse's  head  around  to  the  right  by  means  of 
the  twist  of  the  bit  in  his  mouth.  If  he  offers  to  back, 
stop  him  by  tapping  his  breast  with  the  whip;  if  he 
tries  to  pull  away  his  head,  hold  on  tight,  until  present- 
ly he  will  turn  his  head  to  the  right,  when  you  will  in- 
stantly say,  "  Bravo !  bravo !"  and  after  holding  it  so  a 
few  seconds,  bring  it  back  to  its  original  position.    Yery 


TO    BEND    THE    NECK    TO    EIGHT    AND    LEFT. 


33 


soon  he  will  take  the  idea,  and  you  will  bring  his  head 
around  until  it  faces  backward,  being  careful  to  keep  it 
always  exactly  perpendicular,  and  not  to  allow  the  horse 
to  move  it  of  his  own  accord  in  any  direction. 

Now  try  to  obtain  this  flexion  with  the  right-hand 
rein  alone,  only  using  the  left  hand  to  assist  it  if  he  fails 


"  PULLING   THE    HANDS   STEADILY  APART." 

to  understand  or  to  obey,  and  also  to  bring  back  the  head 
to  its  original  position. 

To  bend  the  neck  to  the  left  requires  simply  a  rever- 
sal of  the  process  just  described,  and  will  give  you  prob- 
ably no  trouble.     Do  not  be  satisfied  with  anything  else 
than  an  easy,  graceful,  and  patient  obedience  on  the  part 
3 


34 


HORSEMANSHIP    FOR   WOMEN. 


of  the  horse.  Should  he  back  or  fidget  out  of  his  place, 
bring  him  back  to  it  before  going  on,  as  you  will  find 
that  his  associations  (unconscious,  doubtless)  with  place 
are  remarkable,  and  that  any  fault  is  likely  to  be  re- 
peated on  the  spot  where  it  was  first  committed. 


TO   BEND   THE   NECK   TO   RIGHT   OR  LEFT,  WITH   THE   REINS  BELOW   THE   BITS. 

When  he  will  look  backward  on  either  side,  and  re- 
main looking  so  upon  your  drawing  upon  the  proper 
rein,  the  lesson  is  perfect.  The  utility  of  it  may  not 
appear  at  first,  but  will  be  evident  at  a  later  stage  of 
vour  instructions. 


TO   BEND   THE    NECK   TO    EIGHT    AND    LEFT. 


35 


LESSON  VI. 

TO  BEND  THE  NECK  TO  RIGHT  AND  LEFT,  WITH  THE  REINS 

THROWN  OVER  THE  NECK. 

Take  the  left  snaffle-rein  in  the  left  hand  at  about  a 
foot  from  the  bit,  and  with  the  right  hand  draw  the 
right  snaffle-rein  over  the  horse's  neck  just  in  front  of 
the  shoulder,  until  both  sides  pull  equally  on  the  bit 


GETTING   THE   HORSE  "  LIGHT   IN   HAND. 


36 


HORSEMANSHIP    FOR   WOMEN. 


and  the  horse  is  "light  in  hand."  Then,  by  drawing 
upon  the  right  rein  gradually,  bend  his  head  around  to 
the  right,  gently  feeling  the  left  rein  so  as  to  keep  the 
bit  straight  in  the  mouth  and  prevent  him  from  moving 


PULLING   ON   THE   RIGHT  REIN. 


faster  than  vou  wish  ;  for  in  this,  as  in  all  other  cases, 
while  he  is  to  do  exactly  what  you  direct,  he  is  to  do 
nothing  more. 

To  bend  the  neck  to  the  left,  you  will,  of  course,  re- 
verse the  operation   above  described,  standing  on  the 


TO    BEND    THE    NECK    TO    EIGHT    AND    LEFT.  37 

other  side  of  the  horse,  taking  the  right  snaffle- rein  in 
the  right  hand  at  a  foot  from  the  bit,  and  drawing  the 
left  rein  over  the  shoulder  with  the  left  hand.  Keep 
the  horse  "light  in  hand"  all  the  time,  and  his  head 
perfectly  perpendicular,  as  any  twisting  of  the  nose  to 
one  side  has  a  ludicrous  appearance.  Now  repeat  with 
the  curb. 


38  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR   WOMEN. 


LESSON  VII. 

TO  MOVE  THE  CROUP  TO  RIGHT  AND  LEFT  WITH  THE 

WHIP. 

It  is  unfortunate  that  we  have  not  in  English  a  vo- 
cabulary of  definite  terms  relating  to  the  training  and 
riding  of  horses.  We  will  for  convenience  call  all  that 
part  of  the  horse  in  front  of  the  saddle  the  forehand, 
and  all  that  part  back  of  the  saddle  the  croiip. 

Take  both  snaffle -reins  in  the  left  hand  at  a  few 
inches  from  the  bit,  and  standing  near  the  horse's  left 
shoulder,  get  him  "  light  in  hand  "  with  the  bit ;  and  if 
his  hind-legs  are  not  well  under  him,  make  him  bring 
them  forward  by  tapping  him  gently  on  the  rump  with 
your  extended  whip,  keeping  the  forehand  motionless 
by  your  hold  on  the  bit. 

Now,  holding  his  head  so  that  he  will  not  move  his 
left  fore-foot,  tap  him  lightly  on  the  left  flank  near  the 
hip  until  he  moves  the  croup  one  step  to  the  right. 

Then  pat  and  praise  him,  and  if  he  has  not  moved 
his  right  fore -foot,  tap  his  right  leg  with  the  whip  to 
make  him  bring  it  forward  even  with  the  left.  After 
a  little  rest  begin  again,  asking  and  allowing  only  one 


TO   MOVE   THE    CROUP   TO   RIGHT   AND   LEFT. 


39 


step  at  a  time,  and  persevering  until  he  will  move  the 
croup  one  step  over  to  each  tap  of  the  whip,  pivoting 
on  the  left  fore-foot  and  walking  the  right  foot  by  little 
steps  around  it. 


MOTING  THE  CROUP   ONE    STEP   TO   THE   RIGHT. 


When  he  is  perfect  with  the  snaffle,  repeat  the  process 
with  the  curb,  keeping  his  hind -legs  well  under  him, 
and  holding  him  "light  in  hand,"  while  maintaining 
his  left  fore-foot  immovable,  with  a  delicate  touch,  to 
resemble  as  much  as  possible  the  action  of  the  rein 
when  drawn  from  the  saddle. 

Now  repeat  the  process  to  the  left,  taking  your  stand 


40  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

Dear  the  right  shoulder,  and,  with  both  snaffle-reins  in 
your  right  hand  and  the  whip  in  your  left,  proceed 
as  before  until  the  horse  will  walk  one  step  at  each  tap 
of  the  whip  around  the  right  fore-foot,  which  should 
in  its  turn  be  kept  so  firmly  in  place  as  to  bore  a  hole 
in  the  ground.     Repeat  with  the  curb. 

This  lesson,  which  will  last,  very  likely,  two  or  three 
days,  may  appear  to  some  of  no  practical  utility,  but  it 
is  indispensable  alike  to  your  comfort  when  mounted, 
to  the  safety  of  those  who  accompany  or  meet  you,  and 
to  the  continued  education  of  your  horse.  Who  has 
not  seen  an  untrained  animal  force  his  rider  to  dis- 
mount to  lift  some  gate-latch  wThich  was  really  within 
easy  reach,  or  prancing  about  in  a  crowd,  to  the  ter- 
ror and  vexation  of  his  neighbors,  or  in  momentary 
danger  of  hooking  his  legs  into  the  wheels  of  passing 
vehicles  ? 

Now,  if  you  trample  on  any  one,  or  upset  a  light 
vehicle,  though  you  risk,  and  perhaps  break,  your  own 
bones,  yet  you  are  liable  for  damages ;  and  this  fact  is 
so  well  known  that  a  suit  w7ill  be  promptly  begun 
against  you.  Besides,  for  your  own  sake  you  must 
have  it  in  your  power  to  get  your  horse's  haunches, 
and  with  them  your  own  person,  out  of  danger  from 
careless  or  mischievous  drivers — just  as  a  cavalryman 
has  to  save  his  horse  from  a  slash  or  thrust. 


MOUNTED.  41 


LESSON  VIII. 
MOUNTED. 

To  Advance  at  Touch  of  Heel  and  Stop  at  Touch  of 
Whip  on  Back. — Your  horse's  education  must  now  be 
carried  on  from  the  saddle,  and  should  he  never  have 
been  ridden,  it  will  be  prudent  to  have  a  man  mount 
him  first  upon  a  man's  saddle,  and  afterwards  upon  your 
side-saddle,  with  a  blanket  wrapped  around  the  legs  to 
simulate  a  skirt.  If  the  previous  lessons  have  been  care- 
fully given,  you  will  have  no  trouble  in  making  him 
stand  wherever  you  please  while  you  mount,  nor  in  get- 
ting him  "  light  in  hand  "  afterwards.  First,  however,  see 
that  the  saddle  fits  snugly  in  its  place,  and  that  the  girths 
are  good  and  in  order.  If  there  are  more  than  two,  let 
the  third  be  loose  while  the  others  are  tight.  The  writer 
once  saw  a  powerful  horse  burst  two  good  English  girths 
by  a  sudden  bound  and  throw  off  his  rider,  saddle  and 
all.  If  the  girths  and  saddle  are  not  very  strong,  put  a 
broad,  thin  strap — a  surcingle  will  do — over  all. 

Being  mounted,  gather  the  reins  all  into  the  left  hand 
in  the  following  manner:  Draw  the  right  snaffle-rein 
between  the  fore  and  middle  fingers,  and  the  left  snaf- 


42 


HOKSEMANSHIP    FOE   WOMEN. 


fie  rein  under  the  little  finger  into  the  palm,  throwing 
the  ends  forward  together  over  the  first  finger,  to  be 
held  by  the  thumb ;  in  like  manner  draw  the  curb-reins 
into  the  palm  on  each  side  of  the  ring-finger,  the  left 


GETTING  A  HORSE  ACCUSTOMED   TO   SORTS. 
(Ail  example  of  the  "flying  trot.") 


rein,  of  course,  below,  and  the  right  above  it,  throwing 
the  ends,  like  those  of  the  snaffle,  forward  over  the  fore- 
finger and  under  the  thumb.  Xow  taking  the  curb-rein 
by  the  seam,  draw  it  through  your  fingers  till  both  reins 


MOUNTED. 


43 


fall  equally  on  the  bit ;  then  do  the  same  by  the  snaffle, 
but  draw  it  so  much  tighter  than  the  curb  that  the  lat- 
ter will  hang  loose,  and  any  movement  of  your  hand 
will  be  felt  through  the  snaffle.  Grasp  all  the  reins 
firmly,  your  hand  back  upward,  with  wrist  a  little  bent 
and  elbow  near  your  side,  so  that  if  the  horse,  stum- 
bling, thrust  his  nose  suddenly  out,  you  will  not  be 
jerked  from  the  saddle. 


'ICNT  snArnt  RIM 
fucia  Mj  nan 

i£er SNAfru rein 


SHOWING   REINS   IN   LEFT   HAND. 


All  this  you  will  quickly  get  the  knack  of,  and  do  as 
easily  as  you  would  thread  a  needle.  You  will  observe 
that,  having  the  width  of  three  fingers  between  the 
two  snaffle -reins,  you  can,  by  bending  your  wrist  to 
right  or  left,  guide  the  horse  as  easily  as  with  the  reins 
in  both  hands.  Get  the  horse  "light  in  hand':  by  the 
usual  play  of  the  bit,  first  the  curb,  then  the  snaffle, 
tapping  him  on  the  right  side,  just  forward  of  the  girth, 
if  he  fails  to  respond  or  offers  to  back. 

Now  press  him  just  back  of  the  girth  with  your  left 
heel,  at  the  same  time  relaxing  the  rein  a  little.  If  he 
steps  forward,  pat  and  praise  him,  but  if  not,  press  him 


44 


HORSEMANSHIP    FOE   WOMEN. 


more  firmly,  at  the  same  time  touching  him  as  before 
with  the  whip.  When  he  moves  forward  praise  him, 
and  after  a  few  seconds  stop  him,  leaning  back  a  little 
and  laying  your  whip  by  a  turn  of  the  wrist  on  his  back 
just  behind  the  saddle.  Then  recommence,  and  perse- 
vere until  he  will  start  promptly  forward  at  the  touch 
of  the  heel,  and  stop  at  the  touch  of  the  whip  on  his 
back,  keeping  "light  in  hand"  the  while.     If  he  is  very 


ADVANCING   AT   TOCCH    OF   HEEL. 


sluggish  you  may  have  to  strike  him  smartly  for  not 
answering  instantly  to  the  heel,  but  he  will  soon  learn 
not  to  wait  for  the  blow.  Let  the  heel  act  close  to  the 
girth,  as  you  will  soon  wish  to  move  the  croup  over  by 
the  same  means  applied  farther  back.  It  is  well  not  to 
start  with  the  whip,  nor  by  chirping  or  clucking,  which 


MOUNTED. 


45 


/ 


f. 


STOPPING    AT   TOUCH   OP    WHIP   ON    BACK. 


is  as  likely  to  excite  your  companion's  horse  as  your 
own,  and  is  annoying  to  most  people. 

Accustom  your  horse  to  stop  short,  whether  at  the 
pull  on  the  reins,  the  touch  of  the  wThip,  or  the  word 
"  Whoa." 

After  riding  have  the  saddle  removed,  and  should  a 
puffy  spot  appear  on  the  back  where  it  has  pressed,  take 


46 


HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 


the  hint  at  once  and  have  the  padding  eased  over  the 
place,  or  a  tedious  and  vexatious  "saddle -gall"  may 
result.  There  is  no  better  treatment  for  such  a  spot 
than  bathing  with  very  hot  water.  As  a  preventive, 
however,  it  is  an  excellent  plan  to  bathe  the  back  with 
cold  water,  afterwards  carefully  rubbing  dry. 

The  several  instruments  of  torture  represented  in  the 


.a-?- 


THE   WALK  (COLT   IN   TRAINING). 


above  cut  are  the  dumb-jockey  upon  the  horse's  back,  the 
cavesson  around  his  nose,  and  the  lunging-cord  in  the 
hands  of  the  groom — to  whom  the  artist  has  very  prop- 
erly given  the  countenance  of  one  who,  had  he  lived  in 
old  times,  would  have  lent  a  hand  at  the  rack  or  the 
iron  boot  without  wincing.    The  dumb-jockey  has  elastic 


MOUNTED.  47 

reins,  which  are  adjusted  so  as  to  hold  the  head  in  the 
proper  position.  The  cavesson  is  a  broad  leather  band, 
stiffened  with  iron,  which  is  fastened  around  the  nose 
just  where  the  cartilage  joins  the  bone,  so  that  a  tug 
upon  it  causes  great  pain,  and  will  bring  anything  but 
determined  vice  to  submission.  These  appliances  are 
usually  only  the  resort  of  laziness  or  ignorance,  for  none 
of  them  can  for  a  moment  compare  with  the  human 
hand ;  and  in  fact  they  effect  no  saving  in  time,  for  it 
is  not  safe  to  leave  a  horse  a  minute  alone  with  a  dumb- 
jockey  on  his  back,  as  he  may  rear  and  fall  over  back- 
ward at  the  risk  of  his  life.  The  writer  knew  of  an 
accident  of  this  kind  which  ended  the  victim's  useful- 
ness in  the  saddle,  and  he  has  seen  a  strong  and  proud 
horse  sweat  profusely,  with  the  thermometer  at  ten  de- 
grees below  the  freezing  point,  while  being  lunged,  i.e., 
driven  an  a  ring,  with  a  dumb-jockey  on. 


48  HORSEMANSHIP   FOE   WOMEN. 


LESSON  IX. 

MOUNTED. 

To  Bend  the  Neck  to  Right  and  Left.  —  You  can 
now,  if  you  please,  substitute  a  stiff  crop  for  the  flexible 
whip  you  have  so  far  made  use  of.  Having  taken  your 
place  in  the  saddle  and  got  your  horse  light  in  hand 
review  the  previous  lesson  ;  then,  having  your  horse 
still  carefully  light  in  hand  and  light  on  foot  —  that 
is,  with  hind-feet  well  under  him  —  draw  gently  upon 
the  left  snaffle- rein.  When  the  horse's  head  has  come 
around  to  your  knee,  keep  it  in  that  position  an  instant, 
and  then  put  it  straight  again  by  drawing  upon  the 
right  rein,  insisting  that  his  face  remains  perpendicular 
during  the  whole  operation.  Now  go  through  the 
same  process  with  the  right  snaffle-rein,  and  then  repeat 
the  whole  operation  with  the  curb.  These  flexions  of 
the  neck  may  now  seem  to  you  of  doubtful  utility,  but 
as  the  education  of  the  horse  advances,  your  opinion 
will  change.  It  is  as  rare  for  horses  as  for  people  to 
have  a  noble  and  graceful  carriage;  and  while  you 
cannot,  of  course,  really  change  the  shape  of  your 
mount,  yet  you  can,  by  care,  entirely  change  his  appear- 


MOUNTED. 


49 


BENDING    THE    NECK   TO    RIGHT   AND    LEFT. 


50  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

ance.  His  various  gaits  you  can  indeed  improve,  but 
for  his  style  he  depends,  nine  times  out  of  ten,  entirely 
upon  you,  and  if  you  are  indifferent  he  will  be  careless 
and  probably  clumsy. 


THE    WALK.  51 


LESSON    X. 

THE  WALK. 

This  gait  is  apt  to  be  hardly  appreciated  by  youthful 
equestrians,  whose  love  of  excitement  leads  them  often 
to  prefer  rapidity  to  grace  of  motion ;  but  it  can,  with 
a  little  painstaking,  be  made  swift  and  agreeable;  and 
certainly,  when  light  and  animated,  it  shows  off  both 
horse  and  rider  to  better  advantage  than  any  other. 
It  is,  besides,  an  indispensable  stage  in  the  bitting  of 
the  horse;  for  until  he  will  continue  "light"  while 
starting,  stopping,  and  turning  at  a  walk,  he  should  not 
be  put  to  a  faster  pace. 

Your  chief  difficulty  will  be  his  propensity  to  drop 
into  a  jog-trot  as  soon  as  you  try  to  quicken  his  steps ; 
but  this  must  be  overcome  by  stopping  him  immediately 
and  then  recommencing  the  walk,  urging  him  forward 
with  the  heel  and  encouraging  him  to  lift  his  feet 
quickly  by  a  delicate  play  of  the  bit,  but  leaving  his 
head  as  free  as  possible.  This  will  give  you  occupation, 
probably,  for  several  days.  Do  not  forget  to  praise  him 
when  he  does  well. 


52  HORSEMANSHIP    FOE    WOMEN. 


LESSON   XI. 

TO  MOVE   THE  CROUP  WITH  HEEL  AND  WrHIP  {PIROUETTE 

RENVERSEE). 

Hating  your  horse  light  in  hand  and  light  on  foot 
(that  is  to  sa}T,  as  we  have  before  explained,  with  his 
face  perpendicular,  the  bit  held  lightly,  and  his  weight 
well  supported  on  his  hind-legs),  tap  him  on  the  right 
flank  with  your  whip  or  "crop'  till  he  moves  the 
croup  one  step  to  the  left.  Your  great  difficulty  will 
be  to  prevent  him  from  moving  his  right  fore -foot, 
which  by  careful  play  of  the  bit  you  must  endeavor 
to  keep  fixed  to  the  ground,  while  at  each  tap  of  the 
whip  the  other  three  feet  move  one  step  around  it. 
"When  this  lesson  has  been  satisfactorily  learned,  pro- 
ceed to  teach  in  like  manner  the  movement  of  croup 
to  the  right,  pivoting  on  the  left  fore-foot,  substituting, 
however,  for  the  tap  of  the  whip  a  pressure  with  the 
left  heel,  applied  as  far  behind  the  girth  as  possible. 

Should  he  not  understand  this  pressure,  interpret  it 
to  him  with  the  whip.  As  long  as  there  seems  to  be 
any  mental  effort  required  on  his  part,  pause  after  each 
step  to  caress  and  praise  him.     Be  careful  to  keep  him 


TO    MOVE    THE    CROUP    WITH    HEEL    AND    WHIP. 


53 


MOVING   THE    CROUP   "WITH   THE   HEEL   AND   WHIP. 


54  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 


calm  while  learning,  or  he  ma}7  tread  one  foot  upon  the 
other,  possibly  inflicting  a  severe  wound,  and  after  dis- 
mounting inspect  his  feet  carefully  to  make  sure  that 
this  has  not  happened. 


TO    GUIDE   "  BRIDLEWISE.''  55 


LESSON   XII. 

TO  GUIDE  "BRIDLEWISE." 

Up  to  this  time  your  horse  has  been  guided  as  in 
driving,  by  a  pull  upon  one  side  of  the  bit,  that  is  to 
say,  upon  one  corner  of  the  mouth,  and  it  is  time  now 
to  substitute  a  simple  pressure  of  the  rein  upon  his 
neck.  The  chief  difficulty  to  be  encountered  is  in  the 
fact  that,  as  the  rein  is  attached  to  the  bit,  the  tension 
of  it  against  one  side  of  the  neck  pulls  the  bit  on  that 
side,  consequently  conveying  to  the  horse  an  impression 
exactly  opposite  to  that  intended.  This  difficulty  must 
be  overcome  by  patience,  for  this  instruction  cannot  be 
completed  in  a  single  lesson,  but  will  have  to  be  carried 
on  simultaneously  with  other  work  for  a  week  or  more. 
It  is  given  by  carrying  your  hand  over,  whenever  you 
turn,  to  the  side  towards  which  you  wish  to  go,  so  that 
the  reins  will  press  against  the  neck.  Thus,  if  you 
wish  to  turn  to  the  left,  draw  on  the  left  snaffle-rein, 
and  as  the  horse  answers  to  it,  carry  your  hand  to  the 
left,  so  that  the  right  reins  press  against  the  right  side 
of  the  neck.  This  must  be  done  with  judgment,  or  the 
bit,  being  pulled  too  hard  on  the  right  side  by  the  ten- 


56 


HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 


sion  of  the  rein  on  the  neck,  will  stop  him  in  his  turn. 
Of  course  you  will  seek  as  many  occasions  as  possible 
for  turning,  choosing,  in  preference,  places  where  your 
intention  cannot  be  misunderstood,  as  at  a  corner,  for 
instance.  There  is  no  better  spot  than  some  old  or- 
chard, for  the  horse  instantly  takes  the  idea  of  going 


GUIDING    BRIDLEWISE  (TURNING    TO   THE    RIGHT). 

around  a  tree,  and  there  will  be  more  or  less  shade,  and 
probably  good  turf.  While  he  is  learning  this  lesson 
do  not  distract  his  attention  by  other  instruction  ;  but 
as  soon  as  he  has  mastered  it,  see  that  his  head  is  al- 
ways turned  in  the  direction  towards  which  he  is  to  go, 


TO    GUIDE   "  BRIDLEWISE."  57 

for  it  is  a  habit  with  horses,  as  awkward  as  it  is  com- 
mon, to  turn  one  way  and  look  the  other.  At  the  same 
time  always  lean  in  your  saddle  towards  the  centre  of 
the  curve  you  are  describing,  and  at  an  angle  increasing 
in  proportion  to  your  speed. 

Some  English  writers  depreciate  the  above  method 
of  guiding  the  horse,  preferring  to  use  the  bit  ex- 
clusively, but  it  is  almost  universal  in  the  United 
States,  and  its  advantages  for  ordinary  riders  are 
numerous  and  evident.  Indeed,  Stonehenge,  a  well- 
known  English  authority,  says  that  in  "  this  way  a  horse 
can  be  turned  with  a  much  greater  degree  of  nicety 
and  smoothness  than  by  acting  on  the  corner  of  his 
mouth." 


58  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 


LESSON   XIII. 

THE   TROT. 

Writers  on  the  horse  distinguish  three  kinds  of  trot, 
viz.,  the  "jog"  trot,  the  "  true"  trot,  and  the  "  flying" 
or  "American"  trot.  In  the  first  the  feet  remain  lon- 
ger on  the  ground  than  in  the  air,  and  lazy  animals  are 
naturally  fond  of  it,  while  spirited  horses  sometimes 
drop  into  it  from  impatience  of  walking.  It  is,  how- 
ever, apt  to  be  a  slovenly  gait,  which,  though  easy  to 
the  rider,  should  hardly  be  permitted. 

In  the  flying  trot  the  horse  leaps  a  considerable  dis- 
tance through  the  air  at  each  stride — evidently  a  mode 
of  progression  unsuited  for  ladies,  who  must  attain 
speed  in  trotting  by  quickening  the  step  without  undue 
lengthening  of  the  stride. 

Your  first  care  will  be  to  prevent  your  horse  from 
losing  his  "  lightness,"  as  he  will  be  inclined  to  do  at 
every  change  of  gait  or  increase  of  speed — and  this, 
while  often  by  no  means  easy,  is  yet  a  task  to  be  thor- 
oughly accomplished  if  you  wish  for  comfort  or  style 
in  the  future.  You  will  observe  in  trotting,  as  in  all 
other  gaits,  at  each  step  a  slight  tug  on  the  rein,  called 


THE    TROT.  59 


by  some  writers  the  appel,  and  this  you  will  ordinarily 
yield  your  hand  to,  so  as  to  keep  a  steady  feeling  of  the 
mouth. 

If,  however,  the  horse  begins  to  bear  on  the  bit,  hold 
your  hand  firmly,  with  the  rein  just  so  tight  that  at 
every  step  he  will  himself  thrust  his  jaw  against  the 
curb.  This  will  verv  likely  bring  him  to  his  senses 
and  restore  his  lightness,  and  if  so,  pat  and  praise  him ; 
but  if  not,  tap  him  on  the  side  with  your  whip,  at  the 
same  time  pulling  on  the  curb  for  a  second  or  two.  If 
he  does  not  yield  to  this,  repeated  two  or  three  times, 
stop  him  short;  and  when,  by  the  same  method,  you 
have  got  him  to  relax  his  gripe  of  the  bit  and  arch  his 
neck,  allow  him  to  go  on  again.  He  will  dislike  ex- 
cessively to  be  stopped  and  started  in  this  way,  and 
when  he  finds  that  he  will  not  be  permitted  to  go  in 
any  way  but  the  right  one  he  will  give  up  the  attempt. 

Do  not  try  to  succeed  by  giving  a  long,  steady  pull, 
nor  by  using  force,  as  it  will  do  no  good,  and  may  cause 
the  tongue  to  be  put  over  the  bit — a  very  troublesome 
trick.  Remember,  in  stopping,  to  lean  back,  and  lay 
your  whip,  by  a  movement  of  the  wrist,  on  the  horse's 
back. 

Tou  will  next  turn  your  attention  to  your  horse's 
gait.  As  the  trot  is  rarely  so  easy  that  a  lady  can  sit 
down  to  it  with  comfort,  it  is  advisable  to  rise  in  the 
stirrup. 

This  is  difficult  and  fatiguing  if  the  stride  is  too  long, 


60  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

and  you  will  therefore  prevent  its  extending  too  much 
by  giving  a  little  tug  on  the  rein  just  as  each  step  is 
made,  at  the  same  time  with  the  heel  keeping  up  speed 
and  animation. 

If  your  bitting  has  been  thoroughly  done,  and  your 
horse's  mouth  is  line  and  sensitive,  you  will  probably 
find  the  snaffle  best  for  trotting,  and  you  will  give  a 
steady  support  with  it. 

Keep  the  step  quick,  elastic,  perfectly  cadenced,  and 
without  any  rolling  of  the  shoulders. 

Should  you  happen  to  be  mounted  upon  a  horse 
which,  from  bad  handling  or  his  own  faulty  confor- 
mation, is  disposed  to  "  bore,"  or  bear  on  his  bit,  you 
will  ride  with  the  curb,  taking  its  reins  in  one  hand, 
but  in  the  other  hand  taking  the  snaffle,  with  the  left 
rein  drawn  much  tighter  than  the  right.  This  will 
have  an  effect  quite  different  from  what  one  might 
expect,  and  will  put  a  stop  to  this  most  fatiguing  and 
annoying  trick. 

This  recipe  is  not  found  in  Baucher's  book,  but  is 
said  to  have  been  given  by  him  verbally  to  his  pupils, 
and  it  is  really  "  a  trick  worth  knowing."  If  it  does 
not  have  the  desired  effect,  however,  when  practised 
with  the  left  snaffle-rein,  try  it  with  the  right,  as  the 
mouth — for  instance,  from  the  effect  of  double  harness 
— may  not  be  equally  sensitive  on  both  sides. 

If  you  observe  that  the  step  of  one  foot  is  shorter 
than  that  of  the  other,  making  the  horse  appear  lame, 


THE    TROT.  61 

you  may  be  almost  sure  you  have  fallen  into  the  too 
common  feminine  practice  of  bearing  too  much  of  your 
weight  on  one  side.  An  even  balance  in  the  saddle  is 
of  capital  importance,  and  a  rough-and-ready  test  is  to 
observe  whether  the  buttons  of  your  habit  are  in  the 
same  plane  as  the  horse's  backbone,  and  your  shoulders 
nearly  equidistant  from  his  ears — points  of  which  you 
can  judge  as  well  as  any  one. 

In  the  matter  of  the  horse's  gait  you  must  be  equally 
exacting,  not  resting  so  long  as  you  can  perceive  the 
slightest  irregularity  or  difference  between  the  strides. 
It  is  desirable  to  cultivate  such  a  sensitiveness  to  all 
the  horse's  movements  as  will  enable  you  to  know 
where  his  feet  are  at  all  times  without  looking,  and  the 
first  step  towards  this  is  to  learn  to  "sit  close  to  the 
saddle."  This  firm  and  easy  seat,  coveted  by  every 
rider,  is  attained  by  some  with  much  greater  difficulty 
than  by  others.  Many  riders  will  bump  about  on  their 
saddles  for  thousands  of  miles  without  being  "shaken 
into  their  seat,"  because  they  neither  abandon  them- 
selves to  the  instinct  which  correctly  guides  a  child, 
nor,  on  the  other  hand,  seek  out  and  remove  the  cause, 
in  the  muscular  contractions  of  the  body  and  limbs. 

A  loose  sack  of  grain  set  upright  on  horseback  does 
not  jump  up  and  down,  and,  while  it  is  not  desirable  to 
be  quite  so  inert  as  a  bag  of  grain,  yet  a  lesson  may  be 
learned  from  it — which  is,  that  the  lower  part  of  the 
person,  from  the  hips  to  the  knees,  should  be  kept  firm- 


62  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

ly  and  steadily,  though  not  stiffly,  in  place,  while  the 
waist,  with  the  back  bent  slightly  inward,  should  be  as 
flexible  as  possible,  and  the  whole  upper  part  of  the 
person  pliant  and  supple,  so  as  to  yield  with  a  certain 
nonchalance  to  every  movement. 

Nervous  riders,  like  nervous  horses,  are  those  in 
whom  involuntary  muscular  contractions  persist  the 
most  obstinately. 

As  both  of  the  horse's  strides  are  equal  when  the 
trot  is  true,  it  seems  nonsense  to  talk,  as  some  writers 
do,  about  the  "leading  foot''  in  trotting;  and  except 
that  few  horses  are  so  perfectly  symmetrical  that  both 
strides  are  equally  elastic,  there  should  be  no  difference 
to  a  man  on  which  one  he  "  rises,"  and  he  will  there- 
fore spare  that  foot  and  leg  which,  for  any  cause,  he 
may  suppose  to  be  the  weaker.  A  lady  will  without 
effort  find  the  stride  best  suited  to  her. 

Horses  are  often  trained  in  our  Western  States  to 
trot  when  the  rider  touches  the  back  of  their  neck, 
and  to  single-foot  or  pace  when  he  makes  play  gently 
with  the  curb- bit.  These  signals  are  injudicious,  be- 
cause in  harness  a  slight  movement  of  the  bit  sets  the 
horse  so  trained  to  single-footing,  and  there  is  no  way 
to  communicate  to  him  your  wish  that  he  should  trot. 
It  is  better,  therefore,  to  give  the  signal  to  trot  by 
taking  a  firm  hold  of  the  snaffle,  and  laying  your  whip 
gently  on  his  hind-quarter  while  }tou  incite  to  speed 
with  your  heel. 


THE    TROT.  63 

After  dismounting,  observe  whether  your  horse  has 
interfered — that  is,  struck  one  or  more  of  his  fetlock 
joints  with  his  hoofs ;  should  the  skin  be  knocked  off, 
apply  some  healing  ointment;  and  if  the  joint  swells, 
bathe  with  water  as  hot  as  the  hand  will  bear.  This  is 
the  best  remedy  for  all  ordinary  bruises  and  sprains. 


64  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR   WOMEN. 


LESSON   XIV. 

THE  GALLOP,  HAND-GALLOP,  AND  CANTER. 

These  are  treated  of  by  some  writers  as  distinct,  the 
canter  being  called  "  purely  artificial ;"  but  it  will  be 
convenient  and  sufficiently  accurate  for  our  purpose  to 
take  them  up  together  and  to  consider  the  canter  as 
what  it  in  fact  is — an  improved,  and  not  an  "artificial," 
gait.  Horses  undoubtedly  often  canter  in  a  rude  way 
without  being  taught,  as  may  be  seen  often  in  the  field, 
and  not  seldom  in  harness,  and  you  will  probably  have 
little  trouble  in  getting  your  horse  to  do  the  same.  It 
is  this  natural  canter  which  is  called  by  country  people 
the  "lope."  It  is  of  importance,  however,  that  your 
horse  should  not  change  his  gait  without  orders,  no 
matter  how  hard  pressed,  this  being  especially  true  if 
he  is  to  be  driven  as  well  as  ridden.  The  signal  to 
canter  should,  therefore,  be  such  as  can  be  given  only 
from  the  saddle.  It  is  well  not  to  use  the  whip  for  the 
purpose,  but  to  try  by  raising  the  bridle  to  lift  the 
forehand,  while  stimulating  at  the  same  time  with  the 
heel.  Should  he  persist  in  trotting,  do  not  get  vexed 
or  discouraged,  for  he  is  only  resisting  temptation  to 


THE    GALLOP,  HAND-GALLOP,  AND    CANTER. 


65 


THE    CANTER. 


do  what  he  has  expressly  been  taught  not  to  do ;  but 
continue  your  incitements,  raising  the  bridle-hand  firm- 
ly at  every  stride  till  you  have  got  him  fairly  off  his 
feet  into  a  gallop,  when  you  will  soothe  his  nerves  by 
patting  and  praising  him,  and  gradually  calm  him  down 
into  a  canter,  lifting  your  hand  at  every  stride  to  pre- 
vent his  relapsing  into  a  trot.  When  he  will  canter 
5 


66  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

promptly  at  the  signal,  you  will  get  him  "light  in  hand" 
before  giving  it;  then  make  him  start  without  thrust- 
ing out  his  nose,  and  keep  him  light  by  the  means  al- 
ready detailed  in  the  lesson  on  the  trot.  Next  you 
will  bring  his  haunches  forward  under  him,  which  is 
the  great  point,  and  increase  the  brilliancy  of  his  action 
by  stimulating  him  with  heel  and  whip,  while  at  each 
step  you  restrain  him  by  a  gentle  pull,  so  that  he  will 
not  spring  forward  so  far  as  he  intended.  Persevere 
until  he  will  canter  as  slowly  as  he  would  walk.  Your 
best  guide  will  be  to  observe  the  action  of  some  well- 
trained  and  well-ridden  horse,  and  to  endeavor  to  obtain 
the  same  in  yours. 

To  charige  the  leading  foot  in  cantering  is,  however, 
a  more  difficult  matter,  and  we  will  postpone  the  con- 
sideration of  it  until  his  education  is  a  little  farther 
advanced.  In  the  mean  time  you  will  avoid  turning  a 
sharp  corner  at  a  canter. 

The  hand-gallop  is  simply  a  moderate  gallop  in  which 
the  ear  observes  three  beats, 

t  t  T  f   f  


as  in  the  canter,  but  swifter;  while  in  the  extended 
gallop  it  hears  but  two, 

t  T  t  T 


though  given  with  a  sort  of  rattle,  which  shows  that 


THE  GALLOP,  HAND- GAL  LOP,  AND  CANTER.       67 

neither  the  fore  nor  the  hind  feet  strike  the  ground 
exactly  together,  as  they  do  in  leaping. 

Keep  to  the  left,  as  the  law  directs,  is  an  admonition 
on  bridges  and  other  thoroughfares  in  England  which 
has  often  excited  the  surprise  of  Americans,  very  likely 
eliciting  some  such  comment  as  "  How  stupid  !"  "  How 
perfectly  ridiculous!"  Yet  for  many  centuries  it  was 
really  the  only  safe  way  to  turn,  whether  on  foot  or  on 
horseback,  and  as  all  our  fashions  of  riding  and  driving 
are  based  upon  it,  it  is  hard  to  see  why  the  custom 
should  have  changed  in  this  country.  In  the  olden 
time,  when  people  went  about  principally  on  horseback, 
when  roads  were  lonely  and  footpads  plenty,  it  would 
have  been  "perfectly  ridiculous"  for  a  man  to  turn  to 
the  right  and  expose  his  defenceless  bridle-arm  to  a 
blow  from  a  bludgeon  or  slash  from  a  hanger.  Much 
more  would  it  have  been  so  had  he  a  lady  under  his 
care,  who  would  thus  be  left  in  the  very  front  of  dan- 
ger, whether  it  might  be  of  robbery  from  highwaymen, 
of  insult  from  roistering  riders,  or  of  simple  injury 
from  passing  vehicles.  At  the  present  day  and  in  this 
country  the  danger  last  mentioned  is  the  only  one 
really  to  be  feared,  and  it  is  so  considerable  that  the 
question  is  often  raised  whether  a  lady  be  not  safer  at 
the  right  of  her  cavalier ;  but  the  still  greater  danger 
in  this  case  of  her  being  crushed  between  the  horses,  in 
case  of  either  one  springing  suddenly  towards  the  other, 
has  caused  it  thus  far  to  be  decided  in  the  negative. 


68  HORSEMANSHIP   FOR   WOMEN. 

There  is  also  always  a  possibility — slight,  doubtless — of 
a  lady's  getting  kicked  or  bitten  when  on  the  right ;  and 
it  might  be  difficult  for  her  companion,  without  risk  to 
her  limbs,  to  seize  her  horse  by  the  head  should  he  be- 
come refractory.  In  case  of  its  becoming  absolutely 
necessary  to  take  a  terrified  or  exhausted  rider  off  of  an 
unmanageable  horse,  there  would  probably  be  time  for 
her  escort  to  cross  behind  her  and  place  himself  at  her 
left  hand. 

Now  that  we  are  on  the  subject,  we  may  give  a  word 
of  caution  as  to  some  other  dangers  of  the  road. 
Among  those  to  the  rider,  the  most  common  is  shying  / 
but  vigilance  —  and  perpetual  vigilance  will  be  neces- 
sary— will  reduce  this  to  the  rank  of  simple  annoyance. 
Get  your  horse  past  the  alarming  object  somehow,  even 
if  he  has  to  be  led  ;  get  him  up  to  it  if  you  can,  and 
then  pat  and  praise  him  ;  never  let  him  hurry  off  after 
passing  it;  never  whip  him  afterwards. 

Rearing  is  less  common  than  shying,  but  more  dan- 
gerous from  the  risk  of  pulling  the  horse  over  back- 
ward. To  rear  he  must,  of  course,  spring  up  with  the 
fore-le<rs,  and  if  his  intention  can  be  divined  in  time  it 
may  perhaps  be  frustrated  by  a  smart  stroke  down  the 
shoulder;  but  an  active  animal  is  usually  up  before  his 
rider  has  had  time  to  think,  and  the  question  is  how  to 
come  safe  down  again.  To  this  end,  on  no  account 
pull  on  the  bit,  but,  without  letting  go  the  rein,  grasp  a 
thick  lock  of  the  mane  and  hold  yourself  with  it  as 


THE  GALLOP,  HAND-GALLOP,  AND  CANTER.      69 

close  to  the  neck  as  possible  —  which  will  throw 
your  weight  in  the  best  place,  and  prepare  you  to  leap 
down,  should  it  be  necessary.  If  you  have  kept  per- 
fectly calm,  so  that  the  horse  has  not  suspected  that 
you  were  frightened,  he  will  doubtless  come  down  on 
his  feet,  and  very  likely  may  not  rear  again.  If,  how- 
ever, you  feel  his  hind-legs  sink  under  him,  he  will  be 
intending  to  throw  himself  down,  and  you  must  jump 
down  instantly  to  avoid  getting  caught  under  the 
saddle. 

Kicking,  when  coming  unexpectedly,  is  more  likely 
than  rearing  to  unseat  the  rider.  If  you  withstand 
the  first  assault,  however,  get  the  horse's  head  up  by  an 
energetic  use  of  the  bit,  and  look  out  that  he  does  not 
get  it  down  again.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  should 
either  of  the  last  two  tricks  become  a  habit,  it  will 
make  the  horse  quite  unfit  for  a  lady's  use. 

If  your  horse  is  restless  and  disposed  to  jump,  or 
perhaps  run,  when  horses  or  vehicles  rapidly  approach 
him  from  behind,  occupy  his  attention  by  moving  the 
bit  a  little  from  side  to  side  in  his  mouth. 

Running  away  is  undoubtedly  serious  business,  but 
all  authorities  agree  that  the  safest  plan  is  to  let  the 
horse  run,  if  there  is  room,  and  that  the  best  lesson  for 
him  is  to  make  him  continue  running  after  he  wishes 
to  stop.  A  steady  pull  on  the  bit  is  quite  useless,  and 
so  is  any  cry  of  "Whoa!  whoa!"  at  first.  But  after  a 
little  the  bit  should  be  vigorously  sawed,  so  as  to  sway 


70  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

the  head  from  side  to  side  if  possible,  and  thus  confuse 
him,  while  you  speak  to  him  in  a  commanding  tone. 

The  dangers  to  the  horse  upon  the  road,  however, 
are  greater  and  more  numerous  than  to  yourself,  but 
the}7  may  almost  all  be  averted  by  care  and  watchful- 
ness on  your  part.  Beware  of  a  fast  pace  on  hard 
macadam ;  beware  of  loose  stones,  which  may  bruise 
the  frog  or  cause  a  tedious  sprain;  beware  of  food, 
water,  above  all,  of  currents  of  air  when  he  is  warm. 


THE    PIKOUETTE,  DEUX    PISTES,  PASSAGE. 


71 


LESSON   XV. 

THE   PIROUETTE,  DEUX   PISTES,  PASSAGE. 

In  the  pirouette  ordinaire  of  the  French  manege  the 
horse  turns  upon  one  of  his  hind-legs,  walking  on  the 
other  three  around  it,  just  as  in  \\iq  jpirouette  renversee 


ORDINARY    PIROUETTE. 


72 


HORSEMANSHIP    FOR   WOMEN. 


of  Lesson  XI.  he  turned  upon  one  of  the  fore -legs, 
around  which  he  walked  upon  the  other  three ;  and 
now,  as  then,  the  chief  difficulty  is  to  keep  him  from 


GOING    ON   "DEUX   PISTES." 


moving  the  leg  which  is   to  serve   as  a  pivot.     The 
means   for   accomplishing   this   you    have   already  ac- 


THE    PIROUETTE,  DEUX    PISTES,  PASSAGE. 


73 


<• ... 


THE    PASSAGE. 


74  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR   WOMEN. 

quired,  and  a  pressure  of  the  heel  on  the  one  side,  or 
of  the  crop  on  the  other,  will  prevent  an  intended 
movement  of  the  croup,  while  by  the  rein  against  the 
neck  you  move  the  forehand  to  the  one  side  or  to  the 
other.  In  wheeling  to  the  left  it  is  the  left  hind-foot, 
and  to  the  right  the  right  hind-foot,  which  serves  as  a 
pivot.  If  your  horse  is  stiff  and  clumsy  in  this  exer- 
cise it  will  probably  be  because  you  have  not  got  him 
together,  with  his  hind-legs  well  under  him,  but  at  best 
you  will  probably  find  him  less  supple  on  one  side  than 
the  other.  Begin  by  moving  the  forehand  but  one  step 
at  a  time,  keeping  your  horse  calm,  so  that  he  may  not 
wound  one  foot  with  the  other,  holding  your  own  per- 
son motionless,  and  gradually  accustoming  him  to  slight 
and  delicate  effects  of  hand,  heel,  and  whip,  so  that  he 
may  to  a  by-stander  appear  to  move  of  his  own  volition. 

The  piste  (literally  "  trail  "  or  "  track")  in  the  French 
manege  is  an  imaginary  circle  lying  three  feet  distant 
from  the  wall;  which  imaginary  line,  however,  becomes 
in  practice  a  well-defined  path,  which  the  horse  soon 
learns  to  follow  with  little  guidance  from  his  rider.  To 
go,  then,  "on  two  pistes"  is  to  cause  the  horse  to  ad- 
vance with  his  body  placed  obliquely,  so  that  the  hind- 
feet  move  on  a  different  line  from  the  fore -feet.  In 
the  cut  the  horse  is  shown  directly  across  the  piste. 

The  passage  is  a  side  movement  without  advancing. 
By  it  the  cavalry  close  up  their  ranks,  and  to  a  civilian 
it  is  useful  in  many  ways.  Both  of  these  movements 
you  are  now  able  to  execute  at  pleasure. 


BACKING.  To 


LESSOX   XVI. 

BACKING. 

This  lesson  has  been  deferred  thus  far  because,  while 
it  is  one  of  the  most  practically  and  frequently  useful, 
yet  it  is  also  the  method  which  the  horse  naturally  takes 
to  escape  from  the  unwonted  constraint  put  upon  the 
muscles  of  his  neck  and  jaw  in  the  course  of  the  pre- 
ceding lessons.  You  have  had,  therefore,  to  be  on  your 
guard  hitherto  against  it ;  and  had  you  taught  it  earlier 
you  would  have  found  your  horse  cunning  enough  to 
pretend  to  believe  every  play  of  the  bit  to  be  a  signal  to 
step  back,  and  thus  protract  the  instruction. 

Having,  then,  got  your  horse,  as  usual,  well  in  hand, 
lean  back  and  give  a  pull  on  the  reins.  If  he  steps  back, 
well;  if  not,  touch  him  with  the  heel  or  tap  his  side 
with  the  crop,  and  when  he  lifts  his  foot  to  step  for- 
ward repeat  the  pull  on  the  reins,  when  the  foot  will 
be  replaced  farther  back ;  then  pat  and  praise  him,  and 
persevere  until  he  will,  at  each  tug  of  the  reins,  move 
backward  one  step  and  no  more. 

Should  he  swerve  to  right  or  left,  straighten  him  by 
a  tap  or  pressure  of  the  crop  on  his  right  side,  or  by  the 


76 


HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 


BACKING. 


pressure  of  the  heel  on  the  left,  as  the  case  may  re- 
quire. 

Your  horse  having  learned  to  obey  the  pressure  of  the 
rein  upon  the  neck,  you  may  now,  if  you  choose,  adopt 
another  method  of  holding  the  reins.  It  differs  from 
that  described  in  Lesson  XIII.  in  that  the  two  snaffle 


BACKING. 


77 


reins,  instead  of  being  separated  by  three  fingers,  have 
only  one — the  middle  finger — between  them  ;  while  the 
curb-reins,  instead  of  coming  into  the  hand  between  the 
snaffle-reins,  come  in  below,  having  the  little  finger  in- 
serted between  them. 


B/CHI SNAFFLE BEJH 
EFT  SNAFFLE  PEIN 
CHTCUHB  REIN 
LEFT  CURB  REIN 


REINS    IN    HAND. 


This  method,  though  formerly  the  one  usually  taught, 
being  that  adopted  by  the  English  cavalry,  has  not,  on 


ACT   OF    CHANGING   REINS. 


the  whole,  as  many  advantages  as  the  other  for  a  ci- 
vilian. 

If  you  have  occasion  to  use  the  left  hand,  or  wish  to 


78  HORSEMANSHIP    FOE    WOMEN. 

rest  it,  change  the  reins  into  the  right  hand  by  placing 
the  right,  still  holding  the  whip,  over  and  in  front  of 
the  left,  both  palms  downward,  inserting  the  right  fore- 
finger between  the  reins  separated  by  the  left  little  fin- 
ger, and  so  on,  then  grasping  all  together  with  the  whip, 
and  allowing  the  ends  to  pass  out  to  the  right. 

This  does  not  disarrange  the  reins,  but  makes  it  pos- 
sible for  you  to  take  them  back  into  the  left  hand  in  an 
instant  by  passing  the  left  hand  in  like  manner  over 
the  right. 


RIDING    IN    CIRCLES. CHANGE    OF    LEADING    FOOT.       79 


LESSON   XVII. 

RIDING   IN   CIRCLES.— CHANGE   OF  LEADING   FOOT. 

You  are  now  prepared  to  practise  with  profit  a  simple 
exercise,  which  you  will  find  interesting  to  yourself,  and, 
if  carefully  done,  very  improving  to  your  horse.  It  is 
the  riding  in  circles  of  small  diameter.  Mark  out  a 
number  of  rings  of  various  sizes  in  some  pasture-field 
with  white  pebbles  or  beans  or  small  scraps  of  white  pa- 
per, which  may  be  scattered  at  intervals  of  two  or  three 
feet,  so  that  the  figures  may  not  be  remarked  by  the 
horse,  but  that  he  may  receive  his  instruction  from  you 
only.  Let  the  circles  touch  one  another,  so  that  you 
may  change  from  one  into  the  other,  and  thus  turn  to 
the  right  and  left  alternately.  Begin  at  a  walk,  then 
proceed  to  a  trot,  practising  first  on  the  large  circles, 
and  then  taking  the  smaller  ones.  Keep  your  horse 
"  light  in  hand,''  and  do  not  let  him  place  his  body  across 
the  line,  but  make  him  follow  it  accurately,  with  his 
neck  and  body  bent  around  to  the  curve  which  it  de- 
scribes. When  he  is  perfect  in  this  exercise  on  level 
ground,  move  to  some  hill-side  and  begin  again.  When 
he  can  do  figure  8's  of  a  small  size  accurately  at  a  smart 


80 


HORSEMANSHIP   FOR   WOMEN. 


LEADING   WITH    THE    RIGHT    FORE-FOOT. 


trot  on  a  pretty  steep  slope,  you  may  congratulate  your 
self  on  having  made  good  progress,  and  may  begin  to 


RIDING    IN    CIRCLES. — CHANGE    OF    LEADING   FOOT.        81 

do  the  large  circles  on  level  ground  at  a  canter.  Here 
comes  in  the  troublesome  matter  of  the  "  leading  foot," 
and  if  you  do  not  understand  it,  you  must  not  be  dis- 
couraged, for  many  persons  ride  "hit  or  miss'-  their 
whole  lives  long  without  thinking  or  knowing  anything 
about  it.  The  expression,  besides,  is  misleading,  and 
you  will  do  well  to  study  up  the  subject  first  on  straight 
lines.  Get  a  friend  to  canter  beside  you,  and  observe 
the  motion  of  his  horse's  feet.  You  will  see  that  the 
two  fore-feet  and  the  two  hind-feet  strike  the  ground 
not  only  one  later  than  the  other,  but  one  in  advance  of 
the  other,  and  that  the  one  which  leaves  the  ground  last 
steps  past  the  other  and  is  planted  farthest  forward.  It 
is  this  foot  taking  the  long  stride  which  is  called,  al- 
though it  moves  last,  the  "  leading  foot." 

It  ought  not  to  make  any  difference  to  the  horse 
with  which  foot  he  leads,  nor  to  his  rider,  if  a  man,  so 
long  as  he  follows  a  straight  line;  but  whenever  he  has 
to  turn,  it  becomes  both  to  horse  and  rider  of  impor- 
tance— if  the  curve  is  sharp,  of  very  great  importance — 
that  he  should  lead  on  the  side  towards  which  he  is  to 
turn. 

A  little  observation  of  your  companion's  horse  when 
turning  will  make  the  reason  clear  to  you.  A  woman's 
seat  being  on  the  left  side  of  the  horse,  it  is  easier  for 
her  that  the  shoulder  having  the  most  motion  should  be 
on  the  right  side,  and  ladies'  saddle-horses  are  conse- 
quently trained  to  lead  with  the  right  foot ;  the  result, 
6 


82 


HORSEMANSHIP    FOE    WOMEN. 


LEADING    WITH   THE   LEFT   FORE-FOOT. 


we  may  remark,  often  being  that  the  fore-foot  which 
does  most  work  gives  out  before  the  others. 

The  horse  so  trained,  however,  is  in  this  way  always 


RIDING   IN   CIRCLES. CHANGE    OF    LEADING   FOOT.        83 

ready  to  wheel  to  the  right ;  but  when  he  turns  to  the 
left,  whether  carrying  man  or  woman,  he  must  change 
and  lead  with  the  left  foot ;  and  if  he  has  not  sense 
enough  to  do  so  himself,  you  must  teach  him. 

This,  really,  is  not  an  easy  task  for  an  amateur,  espe- 
cially for  the  amateur  feminine,  who  has  not  the  efficient 
masculine  resource  of  a  pair  of  spurred  heels.  Even 
with  their  aid  a  man  is  often  so  embarrassed  to  make 
his  horse  comprehend  that  he  gives  up  the  attempt,  and 
contents  himself  with  "slowing  down"  before  turning, 
his  failure  usually  resulting  from  the  insufficient  pre- 
vious training  of  the  horse,  coupled  with  his  own  ig- 
norance of  the  successive  short  steps  by  which  the  lat- 
ter may  be  led  up  to  the  performance  of  the  wished-for 
act. 

If  you  have  been  exact  in  the  instruction  hitherto 
given — if  your  bitting  has  been  so  thorough  that  your 
horse  remains  "light  in  hand"  during  all  the  manoeuvres 
described  in  the  foregoing  lessons ;  if  he  responds  in- 
stantly to  the  pressure  of  the  rein  upon  the  neck,  and 
to  the  touch  of  the  heel  and  of  the  whip  upon  the  flank, 
so  that  you  can  move  the  forehand  and  the  croup  sep- 
arately or  at  the  same  time  in  the  same  or  in  opposite 
directions ;  if  he  will  rise  from  a  walk  into  a  canter 
without  trotting;  and  if,  finally,  your  drilling  in  the 
flexions  of  the  neck  permits  you  to  bend  his  head  to 
right  or  left  when  at  rest  or  in  motion  without  affecting 
the  position  of  the  forehand — then  your  horse  is  thor- 


84  HORSEMANSHIP   FOR   WOMEN. 

onghly  prepared  for  the  present  lesson  ;  and  the  same 
tact  and  patience  which  have  brought  you  on  thus  far 
will  assuredly  carry  you  triumphantly  through  it. 

First,  however,  you  should  learn  to  tell  with  which 
foot  you  are  leading,  and  you  can  do  so  by  leaning  for- 
ward in  the  saddle  while  cantering,  when  you  will  see 
that  the  knee  of  the  leading  leg  is  thrown  up  higher 
than  its  fellow,  and  by  bending  still  farther  you  may 
see  this  foot  planted  in  advance  upon  the  ground.  If 
your  horse  has  never  been  trained,  it  is  as  likely  to  be 
one  foot  as  the  other.  Now,  the  first  step  to  be  taken 
is  to  put  your  horse  in  such  a  position  that  it  will  be 
easy  and  natural  for  him  to  lead  off  with  the  desired 
foot,  and  awkward  to  lead  off  with  the  other.  This 
position  is  with  the  head  turned  in  the  direction  you 
wish  to  go,  and  with  the  croup  advanced  a  little  in  the 
same  direction,  so  that  the  body  is  placed  obliquely 
across  the  line  of  advance.  Thus,  if  you  wish  to  lead 
with  the  right  foot,  you  keep  his  head  turned  in  the 
direction  }rou  wish  to  go,  while  with  the  heel  you  move 
the  croup  over  two  steps  to  the  right;  then,  touching 
him  with  the  heel  and  raising  the  hand,  you  give  the 
signal  to  canter,  and  he  will  probably  lead  off  with  the 
right  foot.  If  not,  stop  him  and  try  again,  giving  him 
a  sharp  cut  with  your  whip  just  behind  the  right  shoul- 
der.. To  lead  with  the  left  the  process  is  reversed,  the 
croup  being  moved  two  steps  to  the  left  before  the 
signal  to  canter  is  given,  a  sudden  dig  with  the  heel 


RIDING    IN    CIRCLES. CHANGE    OF    LEADING    FOOT.        85 

behind  the  shoulder  conveying  to  the  horse  the  hint  to 
hurry  forward  his  left  leg.  You  can  now  begin  to  can- 
ter on  the  circles  you  have  marked  out ;  you  will,  how- 
ever, at  first  come  down  to  a  walk  before  changing  from 
one  circle  to  an  adjoining  one — which  change,  of  course, 
reverses  the  curve,  and  makes  it  necessary  to  change  the 
leading  foot. 

This  figure  eight  riding,  thus,  Go,  is  most  useful  both 
for  horse  and  rider  when  it  is  carefully  done.  Keep  the 
horse  "light  in  hand,"  and  above  all,  collected — viz.,  with 
his  haunches  well  under  him,  and  always  with  his  feet 
exactly  in  the  circle  and  his  neck  and  body  bent  to  the 
curve.  As  soon  as  he  will  lead  off  correctly  from  a 
walk,  begin  to  teach  him  to  do  so  from  the  trot ;  and 
when  this  lesson  has  been  learned,  practise  him  on  the 
double  circles,  or  figure  8's,  beginning  at  a  trot,  aud  lift- 
ing him  into  a  canter  jnst  as  you  pass  from  one  cir- 
cle to  the  other.  This  will  accustom  him  to  the  idea 
of  a  change  of  movement  at  the  time  of  a  change  in 
direction.  Having  got  him  to  canter,  continue  on  the 
same  circle  many  times  around  and  around,  then  bring 
him  to  a  trot,  and  pass  to  the  adjoining  circle,  lifting 
him  to  a  canter  just  as  you  turn  into  it,  as  before,  but 
of  course  leading  with  the  opposite  foot.  Make  your 
circles  smaller  and  smaller,  and  continue  till  he  has  had 
time  to  appreciate  the  importance  of  leading  correctly ; 
then  try  to  make  him  change  at  a  canter,  choosing  for 
the  purpose  one  of  your  smallest  figure  8's,  and  indicat- 


86  HORSEMANSHIP   FOR    WOMEN. 

ing  to  him  the  change  of  foot  on  the  same  spot  and  in 
the  same  way  as  when  you  began  by  trotting,  and  yon 
will  no  doubt  be  immediately  successful. 

If  the  horse  in  changing  the  lead  of  the  fore-feet  does 
not  make  the  corresponding  change  with  the  hind-feet, 
he  is  said  to  be  disunited.  This  fault  must  be  corrected 
immediately,  as  it  renders  his  gait  not  only  uncomfort- 
able to  the  rider,  but  very  insecure. 


ETIQUETTE    IN    THE    SADDLE.  87 


PART  II. 

ETIQUETTE  IN  THE  SADDLE. 

There  is  a  large  class  of  excellent  people  who  feel  a 
decided  impatience  at  the  very  name  of  etiquette.  "It 
is  all  nonsense,"  they  say,  and  they  will  give  you  vari- 
ous infallible  receipts  for  getting  on  without  such  an 
objectionable  article.  One  admonishes  you  to  be  "  nat- 
ural," and  your  manners  will  leave  nothing  to  be  de- 
sired. Another  sagaciously  defines  politeness  to  be 
"kindness  kindly  expressed,"  and  intimates  that  if  your 
heart  is  right  your  deportment  cannot  fail  to  be  so  too. 
All  these  philosophizings,  however,  give  little  comfort 
to  the  bashful  young  person  just  venturing  into  society, 
for  unfortunately  few  of  us  are  so  happily  constituted 
as  always  to  think,  much  less  to  say  and  do,  exactly  the 
right  thing  at  the  right  time,  and  the  most  unobservant 
presently  discovers,  very  likely  at  the  cost  of  no  small 
mortification,  that  the  usages  of  society,  even  when  ap- 
parently arbitrary,  cannot  be  disregarded  with  impunity. 
In  the  etiquette  of  the  saddle,  however,  common-sense 
takes  so  decidedly  precedence  of  the  arbitrary  and  con- 


88  HORSEMANSHIP   FOR   WOMEX. 

ventional  that  no  courageous,  kind-hearted,  and  sensible 
young  girl,  however  inexperienced,  need  be  afraid  of 
committing  any  fatal  solecism.  The  reason  of  this  is 
that  the  element  of  danger  is  never  entirely  absent,  and 
that  the  importance  of  assuring  the  safety  and  comfort 
of  yourself  and  companions,  to  say  nothing  of  lookers- 
on  and  passers-by,  or  of  the  noble  and  valuable  animal 
you  ride,  far  transcends  that  of  observing  any  mere 
forms  and  ceremonies. 

DRESS. 

Fashion  at  present,  both  in  this  country  and  in  Eng- 
land, requires  that  the  whole  riding  costume  be  as  sim- 
ple as  possible,  and  entirely  without  ornament.  For- 
merly much  more  latitude  was  allowed,  and  very  pretty 
effects  were  produced  with  braid  trimming  across  the 
breast,  a  little  color  at  the  neck,  and  a  slouched  hat  with 
long  feather  or  floating  veil — witness  the  picture  of  the 
Empress  Eugenie  when  Countess  Montijo,  and  many  a 
charming  family  portrait  besides — but  now  fashion  pro- 
nounces all  that  sort  of  thing  "  bad  form,"  and  a  word 
to  the  wise  is  sufficient.  The  habit  itself  must  be  quite 
dark,  or  even  black,  perfectly  plain  in  the  waist,  with 
black  buttons  up  to  the  neck,  and  with  a  scant,  short 
skirt  only  just  long  enough  to  cover  the  feet.  The 
cuffs  and  collar  must  be  of  plain  linen,  no  color  or  flut- 
ter of  ribbon  being  anywhere  permissible.  The  hand- 
kerchief must  not  be  thrust  in  the  breast,  but  kept  in 


ETIQUETTE  IN    THE    SADDLE.  89 

the  saddle  pocket,  and  if  a  veil  is  worn,  it  must  be  short 
and  black.  The  hair  should  be  so  securely  put  up  that 
it  will  not  shake  down,  and  that  the  hair-pins  will  not 
work  out.  In  the  matter  of  the  hat  more  freedom  of 
choice  is  allowed,  and  in  the  country  almost  anything 
may  be  worn,  but  wherever  there  is  any  pretence  of 
dressing,  the  only  correct  thing  is  the  regulation  silk 
"  cylinder,"  which,  by-the-bye,  usually  looks  better  rath- 
er low  in  the  crown,  and  which  is  every  way  a  pleasant- 
er  and  more  serviceable  hat  than  ladies  who  have  never 
worn  one  are  apt  to  imagine.  About  the  cutting  of  a 
riding-habit,  it  may  be  remarked,  there  is  nothing  mys- 
terious, although  one  might  think  so  from  the  way  it  is 
often  talked  about,  especially  in  the  advertisements  of 
fashionable  tailors,  and  there  is  no  reason  in  the  world 
why  any  clever  young  girl  should  not  make  one  for 
herself  if  she  chooses.  The  only  eccentricity  about  it, 
from  the  dress-making  point  of  view,  is  the  shaping  out 
of  a  place  for  the  right  knee,  so  that  the  skirt  may  hang 
straight  and  not  ruck  up,  and  this  can  easily  be  managed 
at  home  by  improvising  a  horse  with  a  couple  of  chairs 
and  a  rolled-up  rug,  putting  the  saddle  on  it,  and  trying 
the  effect  in  place.  Be  careful  to  leave  plenty  of  room 
across  the  breast.  A  couple  of  straps  should  be  sewn 
inside  in  the  proper  place,  so  that  the  toe  or  heel  of 
each  foot  may  be  inserted  to  prevent  the  skirt  from 
rising  and  exposing  the  feet;  and  these  straps  should 
not  be  strong,  but,  on  the  contrary,  like  all  other  parts 


90  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR   WOMEN. 

of  the  skirt,  and  particularly  the  facing,  should  be  made 
so  as  certainly  to  tear  loose  instantly  in  case  of  getting 
caught  in  a  fall.  Before  leaving  the  habit,  we  may  re- 
mark that  the  wearer  should  practise  gathering  it  up, 
holding  it  in  one  hand,  and  walking  in  it  at  home,  and 
if  possible  before  a  mirror.  No  petticoats  ought  to  be 
worn,  but  merino  drawers,  and  easy  trousers  of  the  same 
stuff  as  the  rest  of  the  habit.  Beware  of  badly  made 
seams,  which  have  a  vexatious  way,  as  many  a  masculine 
wearer  can  testify,  of  pinching  out  a  bit  of  skin  at  some 
inopportune  moment.  The  trousers  should  be  cut  away 
a  little  over  the  instep,  and  fastened  down  under  the 
sole  with  straps,  which  may  be  either  sewed  on  or  at- 
tached by  buttons  inside  the  band,  in  which  case  india- 
rubber  is  the  best  material,  being  easy  alike  on  buttons, 
stuff,  and  lingers.  Corsets  should  be  worn  as  usual,  but 
never  laced  tight,  and  it  would  be  better  that  they 
should  not  have  steel  clasps  or  steel  springs,  which 
might  be  dangerous  in  case  of  a  fall.  The  boots  should 
be  easy,  broad-soled,  low-heeled,  and  rather  laced  than 
buttoned,  as  less  likely  on  the  one  hand  to  catch  in  the 
stirrup,  and  on  the  other  to  bruise  the  foot  by  chafing 
against  the  saddle.  The  gloves  should  be  strong,  but 
supple  and  easy,  as  it  is  important  that  every  finger 
should  have  free  and  independent  movement.  Tight 
gloves  not  only  benumb  the  hands  in  cold  weather,  but 
always  cause  an  awkward  handling  of  the  reins,  and 
may  be  positively  dangerous  with  a  fresh  horse.     As  to 


ETIQUETTE    IX   THE    SADDLE.  91 

the  relative  merits  of  crop  and  whip,  there  is  room  for 
difference  of  opinion.  By  many  persons  the  former  is 
looked  upon  as  a  senseless  affectation  of  English  ways, 
but  the  fact  is  that  with  a  horse  regularly  trained  to  the 
saddle  it  is  more  useful  than  a  whip,  as  by  its  aid  a  lady 
can  "collect"  her  horse — that  is,  can  make  him  bring 
his  hind-le^s  under  him,  in  the  same  way  that  a  man 
does  by  the  pressure  of  his  calves.  If,  however,  the 
horse  has  never  been  trained,  and  is  sluggish  or  wilful, 
a  whip  may  be  more  useful.  Whichever  of  the  two 
produces  the  better  results  will  have  the  more  "  work- 
manlike" look  and  be  in  the  "  better  form." 

THE    MOUNT, 

It  is  undoubtedly  much  pleasanter  and  more  exhila- 
rating to  ride  a  good  and  handsome  horse  than  a  poor 
and  ugly  one,  a  horse  adapted  to  one's  size  and  weight 
than  one  too  large  or  too  small,  too  heavy  or  too  light; 
but  none  of  these  points  are  matters  of  etiquette.  On 
this  whole  subject  etiquette  makes  only  one  demand, 
but  that  one  is  inexorable  —  it  is  perfect  neatness.  A 
lady's  mount  must  be  immaculate  from  ear  to  hoof,  in 
coat  and  mane  and  entire  equipment.  It  is  in  a  great 
degree  their  exquisite  neatness  that  gives  such  an  air  of 
style  not  only  to  English  horsewomen,  but  to  English 
turn-outs  of  all  kinds,  which,  nevertheless,  have  not 
usually  the  "spick  and  span  new"  look  of  fashionable 
American  equipages.     On   coming  out,  therefore,  pre- 


92  HORSEMANSHIP   FOR   WOMEN. 

pared  for  a  ride,  take  time  to  look  your  horse  over  swift- 
ly, but  keenly,  noting  first  that  his  eye  and  general  ap- 
pearance indicate  good  health  and  spirits;  secondly,  that 
he  has  been  thoroughly  groomed,  his  mane  freed  from 
dandruff,  his  hoofs  washed,  but  not  blacked ;  thirdly, 
that  the  .saddle  and  bridle  are  perfectly  clean  and  prop- 
erly put  on.  Every  buckle  should  have  been  undone 
and  cleansed,  the  leather  suppled,  and  the  bright  metal 
polished;  the  girths,  three  in  number  —  never  fewer 
than  two — should  be  snug,  but  not  tight  enough  to  im- 
pede free  breathing;  the  bits  in  their  proper  place,  that 
is  to  say,  the  snaffle  just  high  enough  up  not  to  wrinkle 
the  corners  of  the  mouth,  and  the  curb  considerably 
lower,  with  its  chain,  which  should  pass  below  the  snaf- 
fle, lying  flat  and  smooth  against  the  skin  in  the  chin 
groove ;  finally,  the  throat-latch  loose.  While  it  is  not 
always  wise  to  reprimand  carelessness  on  the  part  of 
your  groom  on  the  spot,  it  is  well  never  to  let  it  pass 
unnoticed,  while,  on  the  other  hand,  it  is  a  good  plan 
always  to  show  appreciation  of  especial  attention  to 
your  wishes  by  a  kind  word  or  a  smile. 

MOUNTING. 

It  is  rather  a  trying  ordeal  for  an  inexperienced  rider 
to  mount  a  tall  horse  from  the  ground,  even  when  there 
are  no  lookers-on,  and  many  a  one  remains  in  bondage 
to  chairs  and  horse-blocks  all  her  life  long  rather  than 
undertake  it.     The  feat,  however,  is  really  so  much  ea- 


ETIQUETTE    IN    THE    SADDLE.  93 

sier  than  it  looks,  and  when  well  performed  makes  the 
rider  appear  so  agile  and  graceful,  giving  such  an  air  of 
style  and  savoir-faire  to  the  departure,  that  it  is  well 
worth  every  lady's  while  to  acquire  it.  The  first  requi- 
site is  that  the  horse  should  stand  still,  and  for  this  pur- 
pose the  attendant  should  have  given  him  some  prelimi- 
nary exercise,  as  the  fresh  air  and  bright  light  are  so 
exhilarating  to  a  high-  strung  horse  that  he  cannot  at 
first  restrain  his  impulse  to  caper  about.  This  prepara- 
tory airing  should  be  entered  upon  invariably  as  calmly 
as  possible,  and  begun  at  a  walk,  for  a  flurry  at  starting, 
and  especially  the  use  of  the  whip,  will  often  disturb  a 
horse's  nerves  for  hours,  making  him  unpleasant  if  not 
dangerous  to  ride.  When  the  horse  is  brought  to  the 
door,  let  the  groom  stand  directly  in  front  of  him,  hold- 
ing the  bridle  not  by  the  rein,  but  with  both  hands  by 
each  cheek,  just  above  the  bit.  If  he  is  a  proud  and 
sensitive  animal,  do  not  rush  up  to  him  excitedly  with 
a  slamming  of  doors  and  gates,  nor  allow  any  one  else 
to  do  so,  but  approach  with  gentle  steadiness.  Stand  a 
moment  and  look  him  over,  give  your  orders  quietly,  and 
pat  his  neck  for  a  moment,  speaking  pleasantly  to  him 
the  while,  so  that  he  may  get  accustomed  to  your  voice. 
Xow  standing  with  your  right  side  a  few  inches  from 
the  saddle,  facing  the  same  way  as  the  horse,  and  with 
your  left  shoulder  slightly  thrown  back,  place  the  right 
hand  on  the  second  pommel,  holding  in  it  the  whip,  and 
the  reins  drawn  just  tight  enough  to  give  a  feeling  of 


94 


HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 


the  bit.  Your  attendant  will  stand  facing  yon,  and  as 
close  as  convenient,  and  will  now  stoop  forward,  with 
his  hands  clasped  and  with  his  right  forearm  firmly  sup- 
ported on  his  right  thigh.  Now  with  your  left  hand 
lift  your  riding-skirt  in  front,  and  place  your  left  foot 


READY   TO    MOUNT. 


in  his  hands.  Let  go  the  skirt,  rest  your  left  hand  on 
his  shoulder,  and  giving  him  the  cue  by  bending  the 
right  knee,  spring  up  erect  on  the  left  foot,  and,  seating 
yourself  sideways  on  the  saddle,  place  the  right  knee 
over  the  horn. 


ETIQUETTE    IN   THE    SADDLE. 


95 


If  vour  attendant  is  unused  to  rendering  such  service, 
you  had  better  make  jour  first  essays  in  some  secluded 
place,  in  which  you  can  instruct  him  where  to  stand, 
just  how  high  to  lift  your  foot,  and  caution  him  to  put 
forth  strength  enough  to  support  you  steadily,  without 


"one,  two,  three." 


lifting  too  violently.  Do  not  be  deterred  by  awkward- 
ness on  his  part  or  on  your  own  from  learning  to  mount 
from  the  ground,  for  the  more  awkward,  the  better  prac- 
tice for  you.     Your  attendant  will  now  lift  your  skirt 


96 


HORSEMANSHIP    FOE   WOMEN. 


above  the  knee,  so  that  it  will  hang  properly  without 
dragging,  and  then  disengaging  the  stirrup  from  be- 
neath the  skirt,  will  place  your  left  foot  in  it. 


PLACING   THE    FOOT    IN   THE   STIRRUP. 


Too  much  care  cannot  be  taken  with  the  position  in 
the  saddle,  which  should  be  exactly  as  shown  in  the  fol- 
lowing cut.  The  left  leg  should  invariably  hang  per- 
pendicularly from  the  knee,  with  the  heel  depressed, 
and  with  the  foot  parallel  with  the  horse's  side.  The 
length  of  the  stirrup-strap  should  be  such  that  the  knee 
thus  is  out  of  contact  with  the  hunting-horn,  but  near 


ETIQUETTE    IN    THE    SADDLE. 


97 


enough  to  be  brought  firmly  up  against  it  by  raising  the 
heel.  The  right  knee  should  rest  easily  but  snugly  over 
the  pommel,  so  as  to  grasp  it  in  case  the  horse  springs. 
Neither  foot  should  be  allowed  to  sway  about  nor  to 
project  so  as  to  be  seen  awkwardly  poking  out  the  skirt. 


POSITION    IN    SADDLE. 


If  your  clothing  does  not  feel  quite  comfortable,  rise  in 
your  stirrup  and  shake  it  down,  resting  your  hand,  if 
necessary,  on  your  attendant's  shoulder,  for  it  will  be 
very  awkward  should  it  become  disarranged  on  the  road. 
Now  put  your  handkerchief  in  the  saddle  pocket,  take 
7 


98  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR   WOMEN. 

the  reins  in  the  left  hand,  or  in  both  hands,  as  you  pre- 
fer, and  start  the  horse  by  a  touch  with  the  heel. 

It  is,  of  course,  the  correct  thing  to  mount  from  the 
ground,  if  possible,  but  here  again  common-sense  comes 
so  decidedly  to  the  front  that  it  is  not  too  much  to  say 
that  the  sole  indispensable  requirement  of  an  enlighten- 
ed etiquette  is  good-nature.  Certain  it  is  that  the  eye 
masculine  will  follow  with  pleasure,  and  perhaps  with 
some  emotion,  the  movements  of  the  young  girl  who 
comes  out  bright  and  fresh,  gives  her  horse  a  pat  or  two, 
with  a  lump  of  sugar,  as  she  glances  him  quickly  over, 
looks  kindly  at  her  stable-boy,  and  then  skips  gayly  into 
the  saddle  from  a  chair  brought  out  by  a  maid,  while 
the  same  eye  will  rest  quite  unmoved,  except  by  a  spirit 
of  criticism,  on  the  self  -  conscious  and  selfish  damsel, 
though  she  be  put  on  in  the  most  approved  manner  by 
the  smartest  groom  who  ever  wore  top-boots.  Mount, 
then,  from  the  ground,  if  you  have  some  one  to  put  you 
on  and  some  one  to  hold  your  horse ;  or,  if  the  horse 
will  stand  without  holding,  cautioning  your  escort — if 
yo.u  are  not  sure  of  his  expertness  in  such  services — to 
be  sure  to  raise  your  foot  straight  up,  and  to  give  you 
warning  by  counting  one,  two,  so  that  you  may  be  cer- 
tain to  have  the  leg  straightened  before  he  begins  to 
lift,  as  otherwise  the  result  may  be  the  reverse  of  grace- 
ful. When  in  the  saddle,  rise  in  your  stirrup,  as  already 
suggested,  and  smooth  down  your  dress,  meantime  thank- 
ing your  escort  and  telling  him  how  well  he  did  it.    This 


ETIQUETTE    IX    THE    SADDLE.  99 

smoothing  down  of  the  skirt  it  is  a  good  plan  to  practise 
frequently,  first  standing,  then  at  a  walk,  then  at  a  trot, 
till  you  can  do  it  deftly,  almost  without  thought,  for 
there  is  no  telling  at  what  inopportune  moment  it  may 
become  necessary. 

To  mount  from  the  ground  without  assistance  is  a 
feat  which  few  ladies  would  voluntarily  undertake.  It 
may  be  accomplished  in  an  emergency,  however,  if  the 
horse  is  quiet  and  not  too  tall,  by  lowering  the  stirrup 
sufficiently  to  reach  it  with  the  left  foot,  and  springing 
up  with  the  aid  of  the  hands,  the  left  of  which  should 
grasp  the  mane  and  the  right  the  cantle  of  the  saddle. 

THE    START. 

Do  not  put  your  horse  in  motion  by  a  cut  with  the 
whip,  which  would  be  trying  to  his  nerves,  nor  by  chirp- 
ing or  clucking,  which  would  be  equally  trying  to  the 
nerves  of  your  companions,  but  by  a  touch  with  the 
heel,  or  a  pressure  between  your  heel  on  the  left  side 
and  your  crop  on  the  right.  If  other  ladies  are  to  be 
mounted,  move  on  so  far  that  they  will  be  in  no  danger, 
either  real  or  imaginary,  from  your  horse's  heels,  and 
never  at  any  time  put  him  in  such  a  position  that  he 
can  kick  any  one,  or  that  you  can  get  kicked  yourself 
by  any  other  horse.  If  you  have  to  turn  about  on  start- 
ing, try  to  do  so  by  making  your  horse  step  around  with 
his  hind-legs  (in  the  technical  phrase,  pirouette  renver- 
see),  so  as  to  avoid  turning  your  back  and  presenting  his 


100  HOESEMANSHIP    FOE    WOMEN. 

haunches  towards  any  one  with  whom  you  may  be  talk- 
ing or  from  whom  you  are  to  take  leave.  To  be  able 
to  do  this  easily  and  gracefully  you  must  have  him  well 
"  collected  "  and  "  light  in  hand." 

ON   WHICH    SIDE    TO    EIDE. 

The  next  question  that  arises  is  on  which  side  of  her 
escort  a  lady  should  ride.  This  point,  so  much  discussed 
and  disputed  in  this  country,  is  scarcely  raised  in  Eng- 
land, where  the  universal  habit  of  turning  to  the  left 
makes  it,  under  almost  all  circumstances,  safer  for  her 
to  be  on  his  left,  in  which  position  he  finds  himself  al- 
ways interposed  between  his  charge  and  any  passing 
vehicle,  whether  it  come  from  before  or  from  behind. 
In  this  country,  however,  we  have  adopted  —  nobody 
knows  why,  unless  it  is  because  the  French  do  so — the 
rule  of  keeping  to  the  right,  and  yet  without  changing 
our  manner  of  riding  and  driving,  so  that  the  result  is 
often  awkward  and  even  dangerous.  The  teamster  who 
used  to  walk  on  the  left  of  his  horses,  so  as  to  lead  them 
out  of  the  way  when  occasion  required,  still  walks  on 
the  left,  which  now  puts  him  in  the  middle  of  the  road  ; 
the  coachman  still  sits  on  the  right,  though  the  proba- 
bility of  contact  has  changed  over  to  the  other  side ;  the 
lady's  seat  is  still  on  the  left  side  of  the  horse,  which 
obliges  her  to  choose  between  the  danger  of  being 
caught  by  passing  wheels  or  crushed  by  the  horse  of 
her  escort.     As  there  is  no  reason  in  the  world,  whether 


ETIQUETTE    IX    THE    SADDLE.  101 

in  the  conformation  of  the  female  form  or  of  the  horse 
itself,  or  in  the  exigencies  of  equestrianism,  that  makes 
it  inherently  more  proper  to  sit  on  one  side  of  the  horse 
rather  than  on  the  other,  it  seems  strange  that  none  of 
our  independent  American  ladies  should  have  under- 
taken to  set  the  fashion  of  sitting  on  the  right  side. 
The  Princess  of  Wales  always  does  so,  for  some  special 
reason.  The  Empress  of  Austria,  who  is  well  known  as 
one  of  the  boldest  and  most  graceful  riders  as  well  as 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  women  in  Europe,  is  said  to 
have  saddles  made  in  both  ways,  using  them  alternately, 
and  this  plan  is  adopted  by  more  than  one  of  the  noble 
ladies  of  England  who  hunt  regularly  in  the  season, 
with  a  view  of  preventing  too  constant  a  strain  on  the 
same  set  of  nerves,  and  possibly  causing  an  unequal  de- 
velopment of  the  two  sides  of  the  person.  However, 
accepting  the  present  feminine  seat  as  a  thing  not  to  be 
changed,  the  advantages  in  this  country  of  riding  on  the 
one  hand  of  the  escort  or  on  the  other  are  so  equally 
divided  that  the  balance  may  incline  to  either  side,  and 
a  lady  is  always  free  to  do  about  it  as  she  pleases  with- 
out exciting  remark.  When  riding  on  the  right  side, 
the  lady  is  protected  from  passing  vehicles,  and  the  gen- 
tleman has  his  right  hand  free  to  assist  her  in  any  way, 
even  to  taking  her  off  her  horse  in  case  of  necessity  ; 
but  if  either  horse  were  to  shy  towards  the  other,  she 
might  get  bruised,  and  she  is  always  liable  to  an  occa- 
sional contact  with  her  companion's  person,  which  may 


102  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

not  be  pleasant.  Children  should  certainly  be  kept  on 
the  right,  and  so  should  any  inexperienced  or  very  timid 
person ;  and  at  all  times  a  gentleman  should  interpose 
himself  between  the  lady  under  his  charge  and  danger 
of  any  kind  —  as,  for  instance,  reckless  drivers,  rude 
strollers,  or  a  drove  of  cattle.  When  riding  on  the  left, 
the  lady  is  undoubtedly  in  a  more  exposed  position,  es- 
pecially if  her  horse  is  disposed  to  dance  or  shy  at  rat- 
tling wagons  and  the  like  ;  but  her  escort,  being  able  to 
ride  closer  to  her,  is  enabled  more  quickly  and  safely  to 
take  the  animal  by  the  head,  if  necessary,  and  under  all 
circumstances  he  should  hold  his  reins  and  whip  in  his 
right  hand,  and  in  case  of  danger  keep  his  horse  well 
"  collected,"  so  as  to  be  ready  to  act  promptly  and  with- 
out any  show  of  excitement. 

THE    SEAT. 

Position. — The  lady's  position  on  horseback  is  so  con- 
spicuous that  the  fact  ought  to  stimulate  the  most  indif- 
ferent so  to  place  and  carry  herself  as  to  show  her  figure 
to  the  best  advantage,  and  this  graceful  carriage  of  the 
person  will  be  found  to  be  the  first  step  towards  achiev- 
ing a  firm  and  easy  seat.  The  posture  should  be  erect, 
the  back  slightly  hollowed,  the  breast  thrown  forward, 
the  chin  drawn  in  so  that  the  neck  will  be  nearly  verti- 
cal. The  lower  limbs  should  rest  easily  but  firmly  in 
their  respective  places,  the  left  leg  hanging  perpendicu- 
larly from  the  knee  downward,  with  heel  slightly  de- 


ETIQUETTE   IN   THE    SADDLE. 


103 


pressed,  and  foot  parallel  with  the  horse's  side,  the  right 
toe  raised  a  little 
above  the  horizon- 
tal, but  not  carried 
far  enough  forward 
to  poke  up  the  rid- 
ing habit.  The  seat 
should  be  in  the  mid- 
dle of  the  saddle, 
not  on  the  right  side 
of  it  with  the  bod}T 
inclined  to  the  left, 
which  is  excessivel}7 
awkward,  nor  on  the 
left  side  with  an  in- 
clination to  the  right, 
which  is  equally  awk- 
ward, and  with  the 
additional  disadvan- 
tage of  being  sure 
to  cause  saddle  galls. 
When  the  body  is 
consciously  balanced 
on  the  horse's  back, 
when  the  shoulders 
are  equidistant  from 
his  ears,  and  when 
the  eyes,  looking  be-  a  square  and  proper  seat. 


104  HORSEMANSHIP   FOE    WOMEN. 

tween  said  ears  (an  excellent  habit),  look  straight  along 
the  road>  and  not  off  obliquely  to  one  side  of  it,  then 
the  seat,  whatever  else  it  may  not  be,  is  at  least  in  the 
middle  of  the  saddle. 

The  Hand. — As  to  the  manner  of  carrying  the  arms, 
Colonel  Hayes  remarks  that  he  has  seen  of  late  (in  Eng- 
land) some  ladies  sticking  out  their  elbows,  but  that  he, 
for  his  part,  decidedly  approves  of  the  old  rule  which 
forbade  that  daylight  should  be  seen  between  a  lady's 
arms  and  body.  The  sight  which  annoyed  Colonel 
Hayes  is  not  unknown  in  America,  but  probably  most 
observers  correctly  attribute  it  either  to  ignorance  or 
affectation.  Certainly  there  is  no  reason  for  it,  whether 
practical  or  aesthetic,  as  the  raising  of  the  elbows  lifts 
the  hands  into  a  position  in  which  the  reins  act  less 
correctly  on  the  horse's  mouth,  while  substituting  angles 
for  curves  in  the  outline  of  the  figure,  and  quite  de- 
stroying the  air  of  well-bred  repose  which  is  one  of  the 
great  charms  of  a  finished  horsewoman.  The  arms 
should  hang  naturally  by  the  sides,  with  the  hands,  a 
few  inches  apart,  just  above  the  knee,  and  as  low  as  pos- 
sible without  resting  on  it,  the  nails  turned  down,  the 
knuckles  at  an  angle  of  forty-five  degrees  with  the  hori- 
zon, the  wrists  bent  inward  so  as  to  permit  of  a  little  play 
of  the  wrist  joint  at  each  tug  of  the  horse  on  the  reins. 

The  Poise. — All  this  is  not  very  difficult  so  long  as 
the  horse  keeps  quiet,  or  even  when  he  merely  walks; 
but  how  is  this  much-admired  statuesque  repose  to  be 


ETIQUETTE    IN    THE    SADDLE.  105 

preserved  at  the  trot,  the  canter,  the  gallop,  to  say  noth- 
ing of  incidental  shying  and  capering  i  There  is  only 
one  answer  to  this  question,  and  that  is — -practice.  But 
even  practice  is  usually  not  sufficient  without  an  ac- 
companiment, infrequent  and  not  always  pleasant,  viz., 
frank  and  unflattering  criticism  ;  and  every  one  who 
really  wishes  to  excel,  and  to  merit  the  praises  which  as 
woman  she  is  certain  to  receive,  will  see  to  it  that  this 
wholesome  corrective  is  often  at  hand.  Practice  itself, 
to  be  profitable,  must  be  intelligent,  and  the  cause  of 
any  discomfort  from  the  motion  of  the  horse  should  be 
sought  out  and  removed.  It  will  be  found  almost  al- 
ways to  result  from  involuntary  muscular  contractions, 
especially  of  the  waist,  which  should  invariably  be  kept 
supple,  as  it  is  to  a  slight  play  of  loin  and  thigh  that 
the  rider  must  look  to  prevent  being  thrown  up  by  each 
spring  of  the  hind-legs  in  cantering  or  galloping. 

In  rising  to  the  trot,  bear  outwardly  with  the  left 
heel,  which  will  keep  the  knee  close  against  the  saddle, 
and  prevent  the  leg  from  swaying  about.  At  the  same 
time  be  careful  not  to  rise  towards  the  left — an  awkward 
but  very  common  habit,  which  can  be  detected  by  the 
plan  already  suggested  of  sighting  between  the  horse's 
ears.  Mr.  Sidney  says,  "  The  ideal  of  a  fine  horse- 
woman is  to  be  erect  without  being  rigid,  square  to  the 
front,  and  until  quite  at  home  in  the  saddle,  looking 
religiously  between  her  horse's  ears.  The  shoulders 
must  therefore  be  square,  but  thrown  back  a  little,  so  as 


106  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR   WOMEN. 


/ 


to  expand  the  chest  and  make  a  hollow  waist,  such  as 
is  observed  in  waltzing,  but  always  flexible.  On  the 
flexibility  of  the  person  above  the  waist,  and  on  the 
firmness  below,  all  the  grace  of  equestrianism,  all  the 
safety,  depend.  Nervousness  makes  both  men  and 
women  poke  their  heads  forward — a  stupid  trick  in  a 
man,  unpardonable  in  a  woman.  A  lady  should  bend 
like  a  willow  in  a  storm,  always  returning  to  an  easy 
and  nearly  upright  position.  Nothing  but  practice — 
frequent,  but  not  too  long  continued — can  establish  the 
all-important  balance.  Practice,  and  practice  only,  en- 
ables the  rider  instinctively  to  bear  to  the  proper  side, 
or  lean  back,  as  a  horse  turns,  bounds,  or  leaps."  It  is 
evidently  not  simply  pounding  along  the  high-road 
in  a  straight  line  on  a  steady  nag  which  is  here  meant. 
The  following  advice,  given  by  a  lady  who  is  herself 
an  accomplished  horsewoman,  will  furnish  a  clew  to  the 
sort  of  exercise  which  will  be  really  profitable.  She 
says,  "Let  the  pupil  practise  riding  in  circles  to  the  - 
right,  sitting  upright,  but  bending  a  little  to  the  horse's 
motion,  following  his  nose  with  her  eye ;  beginning 
with  a  walk,  proceed  to  a  slow  trot,  increasing  the  action 
as  she  gains  firmness  in  the  saddle.  When  in  a  smart 
trot  on  a  circle  to  the  right  she  can,  leaning  as  she 
should  to  the  right,  see  the  feet  of  the  horse  on  the 
right  side,  it  may  be  assumed  that  she  has  arrived  at  a 
firm  seat."  Another  excellent  exercise  is  to  lean  over, 
now  to  one  side,  now  to  the  other,  now  in  front,  far 


ETIQUETTE    IX    THE    SADDLE.  107 

enough  to  observe  the  horse's  action,  the  motion  of  his 
feet,  and  the  regularity  of  his  step. 

ON    THE    ROAD. 

If  good-nature  is  the  quality  most  essential  to  mount- 
ing in  a  pleasing  manner,  that  which  will  cause  a  lady 
to  shine  most  on  the  road  is  kindness.  Such  a  state- 
ment will  perhaps  bring  a  smile  to  the  lips  of  some 
dashing  girl  who  thinks  that  she  has  other  means  of 
pleasing,  once  mounted  on  a  spirited  horse,  than  the 
practice  of  any  of  the  Christian  virtues ;  but  the  writer, 
after  many  years'  experience  with  amazones  both  young 
and  old,  believes  it  to  be  literally  true.  A  lady  who, 
without  weakness,  is  gentle  and  thoughtful,  will  have, 
other  things  being  equal,  more  sympathetic  obedience 
from  her  horse,  a  finer  hand,  a  more  supple  seat,  and 
will  bring  him  back  fresher  and  her  whole  party  home 
in  better  spirits  than  one  who  is  not.  To  begin  with, 
there  is  almost  always  one  of  the  horses  which  is  not 
equal  to  the  others,  but  keeps  up  with  difficulty,  and  as 
it  is  precisely  that  horse  which  should  set  the  pace  for 
the  rest,  it  is  well  to  observe  the  capacity  of  the  differ- 
ent animals,  and  spare  the  feelings  of  any  one  of  the 
party  who  may  be  poorly  mounted.  One  might  hardly 
suppose  it  necessary  to  mention  so  elementary  a  rule  of 
politeness  as  that  which  bids  us,  when  we  ride  in  com- 
pany, not  to  keep  always  in  the  best  part  of  the  road  ; 
but  horses  are  sometimes  selfish  as  well  as  human  be- 


108  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR   WOMEN. 

ings,  and  the  selfish  horse,  like  the  selfish  man,  unless 
he  is  prevented,  will  imperceptibly  crowd  his  patient 
companion  into  the  ruts,  when  the  rider  will  get  the 
credit  or  discredit  of  the  action.  Another  too  common 
piece  of  thoughtlessness  is  the  splashing  at  full  speed 
through  mud  puddles,  the  result  of  which  is  naturally 
more  apparent  to  one's  neighbors  than  to  one's  self.  If 
to  an  equestrian,  however,  being  splashed  or  spattered 
is  annoying,  to  a  pedestrian  it  is  nothing  less  than  exas- 
perating, and  such  a  one  will  look  after  the  person 
guilty  of  the  rudeness  with  eyes  of  anything  but  admi- 
ration. One  cannot  be  too  careful,  indeed,  when  riding 
near  pedestrians,  as  they  are  decidedly  susceptible  under 
such  circumstances,  and  likely  to  take  offence ;  and  es- 
pecially is  caution  required  where  women  and  children 
are  concerned,  for  it  is  impossible  to  conjecture  what 
they  will  do  if  suddenly  startled  by  the  rapid  approach 
of  horses.  The  writer  saw,  one  afternoon,  a  nursery- 
maid crossing  Rotten  Row  with  a  baby-carriage  (An- 
glice,  perambulator),  and  two  children  holding  to  her 
skirts.  When  half-way  over,  a  lady  and  three  gentle- 
men came  galloping  down,  followed  by  two  grooms. 
The  children  scattered,  the  riders  could  not  pull  up,  and 
for  an  instant  it  seemed  as  if  the  little  party  were 
doomed  to  destruction,  as  the  horses  appeared  to  pass 
right  over  some  of  them.  The  English  rule,  not  only 
for  country  riding,  but  for  the  Park  or  other  public 
places  (and  an  excellent  one  it  is),  requires  a  gentleman 


ETIQUETTE    IN   THE    SADDLE.  109 

to  pull  up  and  pass  a  lady,  if  alone,  at  a  walk,  whether 
she  be  on  foot  or  on  horseback,  and  though  more  lati- 
tude may  be  allowed  a  lady,  yet  she  should  not  gallop 
up  suddenly  behind  another  lady  who  is  alone,  as  a 
nervous  horse  might  be  so  excited  as  to  cause  great  un- 
easiness to  a  timid  rider.  If  you  should  unfortunately 
produce  such  a  result,  by  all  means  pause  and  express 
regret,  and  if  your  horse  is  quiet,  offer  to  ride  for  a  few 
minutes  beside  the  sufferer — for  so  she  may  be  called. 
In  passing  on  the  road,  the  rule  is,  when  meeting,  to 
keep  to  the  right,  but  when  overtaking,  to  pass  to  the 
left,  and  in  like  manner,  when  overtaken,  to  keep  to  the 
right,  so  as  to  leave  the  road  free  at  your  left.  The 
only  exception  to  this  rule  is  in  the  case  of  led-horses, 
which,  as  they  are  often  inclined  to  kick,  should  be 
avoided  by  passing  next  to  the  one  ridden.  When  ap- 
proaching a  lady  in  a  public  place  a  gentleman  should 
always  do  so  on  the  off  or  right  side. 

It  is  sometimes  rather  a  nice  point  to  decide  when 
assistance  ought  to  be  offered  by  a  gentleman  to  a  lady 
with  whom  he  is  not  acquainted,  and,  if  offered,  whether 
it  ought  to  be  accepted.  The  following  incident,  re- 
counted by  Sir  Joseph  Arnould  in  his  "Life  of  Lord 
Chief-justice  Denman,"  is  interesting  as  showing  how 
such  a  question  was  discussed  in  what  may  certainly  be 
considered  as  among  the  very  best  society  in  England. 
He  says  that  on  occasion  of  a  visit  which  the  Lord  Chief- 
justice  paid  to  AValmer  Castle,  three  years  before  the 


110  HORSEMANSHIP   FOE   WOMEN. 

Duke  of  Wellington's  death,  in  a  conversation  about 
riding,  the  duke  said,  "  When  I  meet  a  lady  on  horse- 
back I  always  stop,  and  if  her  horse  seems  troublesome, 
offer  to  ride  alongside  her  in  the  Row  till  it  is  quiet. 
The  other  day  I  met  a  lady  on  a  fresh,  violent  horse,  so 
I  took  off  my  hat  and  said,  'Shall  I  ride  with  you? 
My  horse  is  perfectly  quiet.'  She  knew  me,  for  she  re- 
plied, '  No,  your  Grace;  I  think  I  can  get  on  very  well.' 
After  she  was  gone,  I  felt  sure  it  was  Jenny  Lind." 
"We  all  agreed,"  adds  Lord  Denman,  "that  the  great 
singer  should  have  accepted  the  services  of  the  great 
duke,  whether  she  wanted  them  or  not." 

It  is  better  not  to  fight  a  restive  horse  unless  you 
have  reason  to  be  sure  of  victory,  but  rather  get  some 
one  to  lead  him  past  the  object  or  into  the  road  which 
he  may  have  taken  it  into  his  foolish  head  to  object  to. 
If  he  is  in  "  that  state  of  nervous  irritability  known  as 
freshness"  do  not  jerk  the  bit,  but  keep  a  steady,  pa- 
tient bearing  on  it,  speaking  soothingly  to  him  in  a  low 
though  steady  voice,  for  his  acute  hearing  will  enable 
him  to  perceive  distinctly  tones  which  are  almost  or 
quite  inaudible  to  your  companions.  Try  not  to  have 
an  anxious  expression  of  countenance,  no  matter  what 
he  may  do,  but  to  look  serene  and  smiling,  as  it  will  not 
only  be  more  becoming,  but  will  undoubtedly  react  upon 
your  own  feelings.  If  he  pulls,  it  is  well  to  take  the 
slack  of  the  right  reins  in  the  spare  fingers  of  the  left, 
and  vice  versa,  as  this  will  give  a  firmer  hold,  and  en- 


ETIQUETTE    IN    THE    SADDLE. 


Ill 


able  you  to  shorten  the  reins  without  relaxing  their 
tension. 

Always  speak  to  your  horse  on  approaching  and  on 
leaving  him,  and  also  whenever  he  has  tried  especially 


METHOD   OP   HOLDING   THE   REINS   IN    BOTH   HANDS. 


to  please  you,  as  your  voice  will  soon  come  to  have  a 
great  influence  over  him.  There  is  a  story  told  of  two 
keepers  in  a  zoological  garden,  one  of  whom  wasa  favor- 
ite with  the  animals,  while  the  other,  though  a  more  con- 
scientious man,  was  disliked  by  them.  The  authorities, 
curious  to  learn  the  reason,  had  them  watched,  and  it 
was  found  that  the  former  always  talked  to  the  animals, 
while  the  latter  served  them  silently.     Too  much  con- 


112  HORSEMANSHIP    FOE   WOMEN. 

versation  with  one's  horse,  however,  is  apt  to  get  to  be 
a  bore  to  one's  companions. 

THE    PACE. 

This  should  vary  with  the  nature  of  the  ground,  as  it 
is  dangerous  to  the  horse,  and  consequently  very  bad 
form,  to  ride  fast  on  a  very  rough  or  hard  road.  If 
slippery,  a  smart  trot  is  safer  than  a  slow  trot  or  walk  ; 
but  if  walking,  by  all  means  let  the  horse  have  his 
head.  If  a  steep  place  is  to  be  descended,  attack  it  at 
right  angles,  and  not  obliquely,  for,  when  going  down 
straight,  a  slip  is  likely  to  have  no  worse  result  than  a 
momentary  sitting  down  on  the  haunches,  whereas,  if 
going  diagonally,  it  would  probably  bring  the  horse 
down  flat.  The  canter,  which  is  peculiarly  the  lady's 
pace,  is  much  harder  than  the  trot  on  the  horse's  feet 
and  legs,  especially  on  the  leading  foot  and  leg,  and  it 
should  be  reserved  for  comparatively  soft  ground.  The 
lead  with  the  right  foot  is  easier  for  a  lady,  owing  to 
her  one-sided  seat,  than  that  with  the  left,  and  it  would 
be  considered  awkward  or  ignorant  for  her  not  to  start 
off  with  the  right,  although  during  a  long  ride  it  is  well 
to  change,  so  as  to  bring  the  strain  upon  a  new  set  of 
muscles. 

TURNING. 

Of  course  in  turning  you  must  always  lead  towards 
the  turn,  that  is,  with  the  right  foot  in  turning  to  the 
right,  and  wTith  the  left  in  turning  to  the  left.     For  in- 


ETIQUETTE    IN    THE    SADDLE.  113 

stance,  if  you  have  to  round  a  corner  to  the  right,  and 
are  leading  with  the  right  foot,  as  will  probably  be  the 
case,  you  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  go  on  around,  be- 
ing careful  to  choose  good  footing  for  your  horse,  and 
avoiding  particularly  loose  stones.  If,  however,  you 
are  leading  with  the  left,  you  must  change,  and  you  can 
best  do  so  in  the  following  manner.  As  you  approach 
the  critical  spot,  collect  your  horse  with  the  curb,  and 
bring  him  to  a  trot ;  then,  just  as  you  reach  the  corner, 
make  him  swerve  slightly  to  the  left  and  instantly  give 
the  signal  to  canter,  at  the  same  time  turning  him 
sharply  to  the  right,  pressing  your  heel  against  his  side 
back  of  the  girth,  and  lifting  the  right  snaffle-rein.  It 
is  well  to  draw  back  the  right  shoulder  also,  so  as  to 
throw  your  weight  on  his  left  side,  and  leave  his  right 
leg  free  to  make  the  long  stride.  As  this  is  by  no 
means  an  easy  operation  for  an  unskilled  rider,  except 
on  a  perfectly  trained  horse,  I  will  give  the  directions 
also  in  detail  for  the  reverse  process  of  wheeling  to  the 
left.  If  your  horse  should  be  leading  with  the  left  foot, 
you  have,  of  course,  no  change  to  make.  If,  however, 
you  are,  as  usual,  leading  with  the  right,  you  must 
"change  the  leg"  to  the  left.  As  you  draw  near  the 
corner,  moderate  your  speed  and  collect  your  horse  with 
the  curb,  bringing  him  to  a  trot.  Then,  just  at  the  mo- 
ment of  turning,  sway  his  shoulders  a  very  little  to  the 
right,  give  the  signal  to  canter  by  raising  your  hand, 
and  wheel  sharply  to  the  left,  at  the  same  time  pressing 
8 


114  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

your  crop  against  his  right  side  back  of  the  girth,  and 
raising  the  left  snaffle-rein.  While  doing  so,  draw  back 
your  left  shoulder  so  as  to  throw  your  weight  on  the 
right  side.  If  he  does  not  take  the  hint  at  once,  do  not 
be  discouraged,  but  practise  him  in  some  quiet  place, 
choosing,  if  possible,  a  corner  where  the  turn  is  uphill; 
and  when  he  does  well,  pat  him  and  make  much  of 
him,  for  you  will  find  that  no  one  of  your  admirers  is 
more  sensitive  to  your  praises  than  he.  This  matter  of 
turning  is  well  worth  all  the  trouble  it  may  cost  you,  as 
it  will  give  you  a  lively  pleasure  to  find  your  horse's 
powerful  limbs  moving  sympathetically  to  the  gentle 
impulses  of  a  woman's  hand,  and,  besides,  it  lends  an 
air  of  style  and  savoir-faire  which  will  be  fully  appre- 
ciated by  every  looker-on  who  knows  anything  what- 
ever about  riding.  Be  particular  to  lean  over  towards 
the  centre  of  the  curve  you  are  describing  at  an  angle 
proportionate  to  the  speed,  just  as  the  horse  does  him- 
self, that  is,  leaning  to  the  right  side  as  he  wheels  to 
the  right,  and  to  the  left  when  he  wheels  to  the  left. 
It  is  well  not  to  let  him  cut  off  his  corners,  but  to  pre- 
serve the  same  distance  from  the  centre  of  the  road, 
just  as  if  you  were  riding  in  company,  and  when  this 
last  is  the  case  be  careful  to  keep  exactly  abreast  both 
on  the  straight  road  and  on  the  turns,  for  there  is  noth- 
ing that  looks  more  countrified  than  to  see  riders  strag- 
gling along  irregularly  like  a  party  of  mechanics  out  for 
a  stroll  on  a  Sunday  afternoon. 


ETIQUETTE    IX    THE    SADDLE.  115 

It  is  well  never  to  canter  a  carriage-horse  unless  you 
know  him  well,  and  are  sure  he  will  not  thus  be  render- 
ed unsteady  in  harness,  and  in  like  manner  you  should 
be  considerate  of  your  escort  or  companions,  and  not 
urge  their  horses  beyond  their  proper  gait.  A  good 
way  to  do,  if  you  are  much  the  best  mounted  of  the 
party,  is  now  and  then,  when  the  road  is  suitable,  to 
gallop  on  and  return  again.  It  looks  well  to  see  a  lady 
cantering  beside  a  gentleman  who  is  trotting;  but  the 
reverse  never  seems  quite  good  form,  and  especially 
when  it  is  evident  that  the  gentleman's  horse  is  gallop- 
ing because  he  has  been  pushed  off  his  legs. 

A  borrowed  horse  is  an  article  which  is  looked  upon 
with  very  different  eyes  by  the  elderly  people  who  gen- 
erally are  the  lenders,  and  the  youthful  riders  that  are 
usually  the  borrowers,  and  many  a  man,  and  perhaps 
many  a  woman  too,  remembers  with  shame  and  regret 
how  little  were  appreciated  or  deserved  the  favors  of 
this  sort  received  in  youthful  days.  A  borrowed  horse 
should  be  scrupulously  ridden  exactly  as  the  owner 
wishes,  and  moreover  the  owner's  desires  ought  to  be 
respectfully  ascertained  in  advance. 

For  cross-country  riding  the  stirrups  should  be  taken 
up  at  least  one  hole,  and  the  same  is  advisable  in  mount- 
ing a  strange  horse.  Another  safe  precaution,  in  the 
latter  case,  is  a  running  martingale,  which  will  prevent 
him  from  throwing  up-  his  head,  as  some  horses  have 
the  habit  of  doing,  to  the  great  annoyance  of  the  rider. 


116  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

There  are  two  or  three  more  practical  suggestions 
which  may  not  be  out  of  place  here.  The  first  and 
most  important  is  that  it  is  exceedingly  dangerous  to 
let  a  horse  stand  in  a  draught  of  air,  or  in  a  cool  place, 
or  eat  or  drink,  when  heated.  In  ten  minutes  he  may 
be  so  crippled  that  he  will  never  take  a  free  step  again. 
Ferry-boats  are  notoriously  bad  places,  and  a  horse 
should  never  be  taken  on  to  them  till  quite  cool.  It  is 
not  well  to  let  your  horse  crop  the  leaves  or  grass,  as 
kind-hearted  riders  permit  him  to  do  sometimes,  for  it 
soils  his  lips  and  bits,  giving  him  a  slovenly  air,  and  you 
run  the  risk  besides  of  his  wiping  them  on  your  habit 
before  you  part  from  him.  Avoid  letting  your  horse 
drink  unless  he  really  would  be  better  for  the  refresh- 
ment, as  lie  can  hardly  do  so  without  wetting  the  curb- 
reins,  making  them  stiff  and  dirty- looking. 

THE    GROOM. 

The  costume  of  the  groom  is  too  well  known  to  re- 
quire remark  further  than  that  it  should  be  scrupulously 
neat.  In  the  country,  top-boots,  etc.,  are  by  no  means 
de  rigueur,  and  under  many  circumstances  would  savor 
more  of  pretence  than  of  real  gentility.  The  groom 
ought  to  be  mounted  on  a  strong  and  able  horse,  which, 
if  unused  to  the  saddle,  lie  should  train  at  least  so  far 
that  he  can  with  one  hand,  by  the  aid  of  his  legs,  force 
it  to  take  and  keep  any  position.  When  accompanying 
inexperienced  riders  his  horse  should  be  able  to  over- 


ETIQUETTE    IX    THE    SADDLE.  117 

take  theirs  easilv.  The  distance  at  which  he  should 
ride  behind  his  mistress  varies  with  circumstances — in 
a  crowded  street  his  place  being  close  behind  her,  while 
in  the  Park  or  in  the  country  he  naturally  falls  farther 
back,  though  never  beyond  easy  call.  If  he  is  mounted 
on  a  good  saddle-horse,  he  should  keep  in  his  place,  that 
is,  always  at  the  same  distance,  galloping  if  necessary; 
but  if  riding  a  carriage-horse,  as  is  often  convenient,  he 
should  not,  unless  absolutely  necessary,  force  the  ani- 
mal bevond  the  fastest  trot  at  which  it  looks  well  in 

at 

harness.  He  should  never  canter  any  horse  unless  in- 
structed expressly  to  do  so,  but  should  trot  in  a  busi- 
ness-like way,  rising  in  his  stirrups,  or,  if  necessary, 
should  gallop,  sitting  straight,  with  hands  low  and  feet 
thrust  home  in  the  stirrups.  In  all  cases  he  should  look 
straight  forward,  without  appearing  to  notice  what  goes 
on  around  him.  Nothing  looks  in  worse  form  than  a 
groom  sitting  lazily  back  on  a  cantering  horse,  and  cast- 
ing glances  at  the  admiring  nursery  -  maids  along  the 
way.  When  summoned  to  his  mistress,  he  should  touch 
his  hat  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  the  command,  and 
should  ride  quickly  up  on  the  off  side,  where  he  should 
listen  in  a  respectful  attitude  with  eyes  cast  down,  then, 
touching  his  hat  again,  depart  to  carry  out  her  orders. 


118  HORSEMANSHIP   FOR   WOMEN. 


PART   III. 

LEAPING 

One  pleasant  winter  afternoon  a  fashionably  dressed 
young  man,  crop  in  hand,  spur  on  heel,  and  mounted 
on  a  tall  horse,  was  seen  to  emerge  briskly  from  a  little 
grove  in  a  gentleman's  place,  and  come  to  a  sudden  halt 
in  the  level  field  across  which  he  had  intended  to  gallop. 
The  cause  was  a  new  ditch,  deep  though  narrow,  stretch- 
ing across  from  fence  to  fence  before  him.  He  looked 
at  the  obstacle  a  moment,  then  up  and  down  the  field, 
and  remarked  to  a  gardener,  an  old  Scotchman,  who 
stood  looking  on,  spade  in  hand,  "Well,  I  suppose  I 
must  go  back."  "  I  suppose  so,"  said  the  old  fellow, 
dryly,  looking  up  out  of  the  corner  of  his  eye  with  an 
almost  imperceptible  smile.  The  young  man  reddened, 
hesitated,  and  then  turned  away,  saying,  as  if  the  other's 
thoughts  had  been  spoken  out,  "  To  tell  the  truth,  I 
don't  know  whether  my  horse  would  if  he  could,  nor 
whether  he  could  if  he  would."  "An5  the  same  o' 
yourself,"  muttered  the  old  man  in  his  grizzled  beard. 
The  sarcasm  was  not  to  be  wondered  at,  as  the  speaker 
remembered  what  he  had  many  a  time  seen,  and  very 


LEAPING. 


119 


likely  himself  done  in  his  younger  days  in  some  hunt- 
ing field  of  the  old  country,  for  the  ditch  before  him 
could  have  been  cleared  by  an  active  boy,  on  his  own 
legs,  with  a  good  run.  Moreover,  it  is  not  improbable 
that  the  reader  is  ready  to  agree  with  the  old  satirist  in 
thinking  the  young  man  a  "  muff."     Nevertheless,  both 


APPROACHING   A    FEN'CE. 


horse  and  rider  might  easilv  have  come  to  grief ,  for  the 
steep  banks  were  crumbly,  and  while  the  rider's  seat 
was  not  of  the  firmest,  his  mount  was  straight  in  the 
shoulder  and  a  little  stiff  in  the  pastern.  However, 
they  were  both  as  well  fitted  to  overcome  such  a  diffi- 
culty as  nine-tenths  of  American  horses  and  riders,  and 


120  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

a  very  little  previous  practice  would  have  enabled  them 
to  spring  over  without  bestowing  a  second  thought  upon 
it.  The  total  indifference  on  this  subject  of  leaping 
among  our  people  is  really  quite  remarkable,  for  one 
can  hardly  take  a  ride  anywhere  in  the  country  with- 
out there  arising  some  occasions  when  even  a  little 
knowledge  of  the  art  would  have  added  to  one's  pleas- 
ure. How  often,  for  instance,  an  easy  fence  separates 
the  dnsty  road,  too  hard  as  well  as  too  hot  for  fast  rid- 
ing, from  some  cool  wood  with  its  shaded  turf,  where  a 
gallop  would  be  delightful  and  would  do  the  horse  good 
instead  of  harm.  The  reason  of  this  indifference  is  not 
only  the  fear  of  getting  shaken  off,  but  a  doubt  as  to 
the  horse's  ability  to  leap,  and  a  dread  of  doing  him 
some  harm  by  such  an  unusual  exertion.  All  these 
apprehensions  are  very  likely  well-founded,  for  if  you 
have  never  done  any  leaping  your  first  essay  will,  in  all 
probability,  give  you  a  severe  shock.  Then  if  your 
horse  is  green  at  this  sort  of  work,  and  the  fence  is  at 
all  difficult,  he  will  not  improbably  refuse  altogether,  or 
jump  so  unwillingly  and  clumsily  as  to  risk  your  bones 
as  well  as  his  own  ;  and  if  he  does  not  really  fall,  he 
may  cause  such  a  strain  upon  unaccustomed  muscles  as 
to  set  up  a  "splint "  or  "  spavin,"  producing  at  least 
temporary  lameness.  Nevertheless,  all  these  excellent 
reasons  for  not  trying  to  leap  can  gradually,  but  rapidly 
and  with  perfect  safety,  be  removed  by  practice,  and 
practice  of  a  kind  very  pleasant  and  interesting,  while 


LEAPING. 


121 


at  the  same  time  improving  to  jour  seat,  giving  it  a 
firmness  under  all  circumstances  which  no  amount  of 
riding  on  the  highway  could  ever  do. 

Some  horses  are  exceedingly  fond  of  leaping,  but  the 
majority  are  indifferent,  though  on  the  whole  rather 
averse  to  it,  while  a  few  positively  will  not  try  at  all. 


ibk. 


-"*r-7=> 


£*-# 


v  w  -  ■■::-.,>-:-^-,V.  '•;•  •■-- 


A    WATER    JUMP. 


The  first  thing  to  be  done  is  to  get  your  horse  to  take 
low  and  easy  leaps  without  repugnance.  For  this  pur- 
pose lay  the  bar  you  intend  to  use  on  the  ground,  and 
lead  him  over  it  without  looking  back  at  him  or  giving 
him  any  reason  to  suppose  that  you  have  any  partic- 
ular object  in  so  doing.     Should  he  object  to  stepping 


122  HORSEMANSHIP   FOR   WOMEN. 

over  it,  be  patient  though  firm,  and  when  he  has  finally 
done  so,  pat  and  praise  him ;  but  if  he  has  been  bred  in 
this  country,  and  is  used  to  bar  places,  he  will  probably 
give  no  trouble  at  this  stage  of  his  education.  Now 
mount  him  and  repeat  the  operation  ;  then,  having  the 
bar  raised  a  few  inches,  do  so  again,  and  continue  doing 
so,  alwa}7s  at  a  walk,  until  it  is  so  high  that  he  can  no 
longer  step  over  it.  American  horses  are  famous  for 
their  excellent  tempers;  nevertheless,  at  this  point,  un- 
less you  manage  with  care  and  with  a  judicious  refer- 
ence to  equine  peculiarities  of  mind  and  temper,  you 
may  meet  with  a  refusal  to  proceed.  In  this  event  you 
must  not  use  force  or  severity,  or  you  may  disgust  the 
horse,  perhaps  forever,  with  the  very  exercise  you  wish 
him  to  learn  to  enjoy,  but  must  content  yourself  with 
preventing  him  from  sheering  off  and  keeping  him 
facing  his  task  till,  sooner  or  later,  he  will  go  over. 
Now  praise  him  and  make  much  of  him,  and  ask  no 
more  jumping  till  the  next  lesson.  It  is  not  a  good 
plan  to  put  the  bar  up  in  an  open  place,  for  the  horse 
will  think  it  nonsense,  and  unless  he  is  unusually  docile 
will  resent  what  will  seem  to  him  to  be  an  imposition 
in  forcing  him  to  jump  oyer  it  when  he  could  easily  go 
around  it.  A  bar  place  or  gate-way  is  much  better,  as 
it  cannot  be  "flanked,"  and  he  will  not  wonder  at  being 
asked  to  go  through  it,  but  he  should  never  be  ridden 
backward  and  forward  over  the  bar,  nor  allowed  to  see 
it  raised,  but  should  be  brought  around  to  it  by  a  circuit 


LEAPING.  123 


which,  if  possible,  should  be  large  enough  to  make  him 
forget  the  leaping,  or  think  of  it  only  as  an  accidental 
episode  in  the  ride.  The  ground  also  should  be  no 
harder  than  good  firm  turf.  Let  him  jump  towards  his 
stable  or  towards  home  by  preference,  and  it  will  be  wrell 
to  let  your  assistant  hold  some  little  article  of  food  which 
he  is  especially  fond  of  in  view  just  beyond  the  bar,  so 
that  his  attention  may  be  distracted  from  the  effort, 
while  an  agreeable  association  is  given  him  with  it,  and 
he  is  prevented  from  thinking  that  the  obstacle  is  one 
of  your  making.  Bear  in  mind  that  your  object  at 
present  is  threefold  :  to  induce  him  to  take  a  liking  for 
the  new  exercise ;  to  give  him  ease  and  confidence  in 
the  performance  of  it;  and  to  train  and  strengthen  by 
use  the  muscles  brought  into  play,  so  that  none  of  the 
unpleasant  results  mentioned  above  may  follow.  There- 
fore do  not  for  a  considerable  time  set  the  bar  more 
than  two  feet  high,  but  practise  him  at  it  several  times 
a  day;  first,  as  already  said,  at  a  walk,  then  at  a  slow 
trot,  and  then  at  a  canter,  making  him  lead  first  with 
one  foot,  then  with  the  other,  until  he  not  only  springs 
over  without  touching  and  without  apparently  thinking 
anything  about  it,  but  shows  by  his  lengthening  or 
shortening  his  stride  on  approaching,  so  as  to  "  take  off' 
at  the  right  distance,  that  his  eye  is  becoming  educated; 
and,  finally,  until  a  careful  daily  inspection  of  his  feet 
and  legs  has  proved  that  no  soreness  or  tenderness  any- 
where is  caused  by  this  exercise.     If  he  does  not  jump 


124  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

clean,  but  knocks  the  bar  with  his  feet,  it  may  be  be- 
cause he  underestimates  the  height,  as  not  only  horses 
but  men  too  are  apt  to  do  in  the  case  of  open  fences 
made  with  posts  and  rails;  therefore  have  a  broad  piece 
of  board,  two  feet  long,  stood  up  against  the  bar  like  a 
post,  and  make  him  leap  over  it.  If  he  still  strikes,  it 
will  be  well  to  try  the  plan  which  M.  Baucher  so  en- 
thusiasticallv  recommends  for  all  horses,  and  which  con- 
sists  in  raising  the  bar  a  little  just  as  the  horse  is  in  the 
act  of  springing. 

It  will  be  interesting  to  hear  exactly  what  so  great 
an  authority  has  to  say  on  this  subject.  After  remark- 
ing that  the  bar  should  not  be  covered  with  anything  to 
diminish  its  hardness,  he  proceeds:  "I  let  two  men 
hold  the  bare  bar  at  six  inches  above  the  ground.  The 
rider  advances  towards  it  at  a  walk,  and  at  the  moment 
when  the  horse,  aided  by  the  rider,  takes  the  leap,  the 
two  men  raise  the  bar  six  inches"  The  horse  naturally 
strikes  his  feet  against  it.  "I  make  him  begin  again, 
until  he  clears  the  bar  without  touching,  notwithstand- 
ing  the  repeated  raising  of  it  at  each  leap.  Then  I  have 
the  bar  held  at  a  foot  above  the  ground,  and,  as  before, 
it  will  be  raised  six  inches  at  the  moment  of  the  leap. 
When  the  horse  is  accustomed  to  clear  this  new  eleva- 
tion, I  have  the  bar  gradually  held  six  inches  higher, 
still  continuing  to  raise  it  six  inches  at  each  leap,  and  I 
thus  succeed,  after  a  few  lessons  given  with  the  regular 
progression  above  described,  in  making  all  horses  jump 


LEAPING.  125 

obstacles  of  a  height  that  they  would  otherwise  never 
have  been  able  to  clear.  This  simple  proceeding,  well 
applied,  will  be  useful  even  to  exceptional  horses,  such 
as  steeple-chasers,  by  teaching  them  to  come  more  care- 
fully to  the  point  of  '  taking  off,'  and  will  render  falls 
less  frequent."  The  idea  of  M.  Baucher  is  to  get  the 
horse  in  the  habit  of  jumping  a  little  higher  than  he 
thinks  necessary,  so  as  to  be  on  the  safe  side,  and  a  very 
good  idea  it  is.  It  is  a  practice  among  experienced  rid- 
ers to  hounds  in  England,  instead  of  leaping  a  post-and- 
rail  fence  midway  between  the  posts,  to  leap  as  close  to 
a  post  as  possible,  or  directly  over  it  when  it  is  not 
much  higher  than  the  rail. 

To  return  to  our  equine  scholar  having  practised 
him  for  a  month  or  so  at  an  elevation  of  two  feet,  his 
muscles  will  have  adapted  themselves  to  the  new  strain 
put  upon  them,  and  it  will  be  safe  to  begin  to  raise  the 
bar  higher,  and  gradually  to  go  up  nearly  to  the  limit 
of  his  ability.  It  is  well,  however,  never  to  ask  too 
much,  as  even  a  willing  leaper  will  be  sometimes  so  dis- 
gusted at  what  he  thinks  tyrannical  exactions  as  to  re- 
fuse obstinately  ever  to  try  again.  The  horse  should 
never  be  allowed  to  rush  at  the  bar,  but  should  always, 
if  approaching  at  a  gallop,  be  collected,  as  much  as  a 
hundred  feet  away,  so  as  to  be  under  perfect  control. 
The  higher  the  leap,  the  slower  the  pace  at  which  it 
should  be  taken,  for  the  very  momentum  acquired  by  a 
rush,  which  would  be  useful  in  a  water  leap,  would  carry 


126  HORSEMANSHIP    FOE    WOMEN. 

the  animal  against  the  bar  instead  of  over  it.  The  reins 
should  be  held  in  both  hands,  and  after  the  horse  has 
been  collected  with  the  curb,  as  may  very  likely  be  nec- 
essary, the  curb  should  be  relaxed,  so  that  on  approach- 
ing the  leap  he  may  feel  only  the  gentle  pressure  of  the 
snaffle,  which  will  not  make  him  fear  to  thrust  forward 
his  head,  a  fear  which  would  possibly  result  in  bringing 
him  down  on  all  fours  at  once,  or  even  with  the  hind- 
feet  first.  As  he  rises  to  his  leap,  keep  a  steady  but  very 
gentle  tension  on  the  reins,  being  ready  to  support  him 
firmly  as  his  fore-feet  touch  the  earth. 

It  is  now  time  to  experiment  with  low  stone  walls 
and  with  brooks,  being  always  on  your  guard  against 
those  concealed  man-traps  in  the  shape  of  loose  stones, 
which  form  one  of  the  chief  dangers  of  leaping  in  this 
country. 

All  this  while  we  have  been  assuming  the  rider  to  be 
an  accomplished  horsewoman,  and  quite  an  fait  at  her 
fences.  If,  however,  the  business  is  entirely  newT  to  her, 
let  her  not  be  at  all  disheartened,  for  her  own  education 
can  be  carried  on  simultaneously  with  that  of  the  horse, 
and  without  the  least  detriment  to  it.  In  this  case, 
keep  to  the  standing  leap — that  is,  the  leap  taken  from 
a  walk — although  it  is  really  the  most  difficult  to  sit, 
until  you  can  support  the  unusual  motion  without  be- 
ing in  the  least  loosened  in  the  saddle,  and  do  not  try 
the  higher  ones  till  you  are  perfect  in  the  lower.  The 
hands  should  be  held  as  low  as  possible  above  the  right 


LEAPING. 


127 


RISING    TO    THE    LEAP. 


123  HORSEMANSHIP    FOli    WOMEN. 

knee,  and  pretty  close  to  the  body,  so  that  they  may 
have  room  to  yield,  and  that  the  sudden  thrusting  out 
of  the  horse's  head  may  not  jerk  you  forward  in  the 
saddle,  in  which  case  the  powerful  impulsion  of  the 
hind-legs  might  pitch  you  out  altogether.  The  advice 
is  often  given  in  books  to  lean  forward  and  then  back- 
ward in  the  leap,  but  the  fact  is  that  beginners,  if  they 
lean  forward  intentionally,  seldom  get  back  in  time  to 
avoid  the  shock  above  alluded  to,  and  teachers,  there- 
fore, as  well  as  friendly  coaches,  often  call  out  "lean 
back"  as  a  lady  nears  the  bar,  which  results  in  giv- 
ing the  learner  an  awkward  though  perhaps  not  un- 
safe manner.  The  fact  is  that  there  is  no  necessity  to 
try  to  lean  forward,  as  the  rising  of  the  horse  will  bring 
you  involuntarily  into  a  position  perpendicular  to  the 
ground,  while  the  play  of  thigh  and  waist  to  prevent 
being  tossed  up  is  of  the  same  kind  as  that  in  the 
gallop,  only  proportionately  increased,  and  it  will  be- 
come instinctive  if  leaping  is  begun  moderately  and 
carried  on  progressively  as  already  recommended.  In 
coming  down  you  can  hardly  lean  too  far  back.  The 
left  foot  should  not  be  thrust  forward,  but  kept  straight, 
or  drawn  a  very  little  back  and  held  close  against  the 
horse's  side;  the  stirrup,  into  which  the  foot  is  pushed 
to  the  instep,  being  one  or  two  holes  shorter  than  for 
ordinary  riding.  On  approaching  the  fence,  be  particu- 
lar to  do  nothing  to  distract  the  animal's  attention,  as, 
for  instance,  by  ejaculations  or  nervous  movements  of 


LEAPING. 


129 


■V 


a"  -  ^ 


,.-** 


^>v 


<_^ 


J  >  J        =»     jr   V  t       — ?  ^ 


COMING    DOWN. 


9 


130  HORSEMANSHIP   FOE    WOMEN. 

the  reins  and  person  ;  and  after  the  leap  do  not  fail  to 
reward  him  by  praises  and  caresses,  for  it  cannot  be  too 
deeply  impressed  on  the  mind  that  he  is  exceedingly 
sensitive  to  them,  and  will  consider  them  an  ample  re- 
ward for  his  exertion. 

The  object  of  these  instructions  being  to  enable  a  lady 
to  master  the  art  of  leaping  without  a  regular  instructor, 
it  will  not  be  amiss  to  sum  up  the  advice  already  given 
at  length,  in  the  words  of  two  competent  authorities, 
"  Vieille  Moustache"  and  Mr.  Sidney.    The  former  says : 

"She  should  take  a  firm  hold  of  the  upper  crutch  of 
the  saddle  with  the  right  knee,  sit  well  into  the  saddle — 
not  back  of  it,  because  the  farther  back  the  greater  the 
concussion  when  the  horse  alights — put  her  left  foot 
well  home  in  the  stirrup,  and  press  her  left  thigh  firmly 
against  the  third  crutch,  while  keeping  the  left  knee 
flexible;  lean  slightly  forward,  avoid  stiffening  her 
waist,  in  order  to  throw  the  upper  part  of  her  figure 
backward  at  the  right  moment  to  preserve  her  balance. 
The  hands  must  not  move  except  with  the  body,  and 
above  all  no  attempt  to  enliven  the  horse  by  jagging 
his  mouth  as  he  is  about  to  rise — a  pernicious  habit, 
practised  by  riders  of  both  sexes  who  ought  to  know 
better.  Reins  too  short,  head  too  forward,  and  pace  too 
violent  are  the  ordinary  faults  of  beginners.  AVomen 
have  on  their  saddles  a  firmer  seat  for  leaping  than 
men." 

Mr.  Sidney  remarks:  "A  sheep  hurdle  is  quite  high 


LEAPING.  131 

enough  and  the  trunk  of  a  tree  is  quite  wide  enough  for 
the  first  steps  in  leaping.  Balance,  gripe  of  the  pom- 
mels, and  support  of  the  stirrup  must  be  combined ;  the 
seat  as  near  the  centre  of  the  horse's  back  as  the  pom- 
mels will  permit;  the  figure  erect,  not  rigid,  with  the 
shoulders  back,  ready  to  bend  gently  backward  as  the 
horse  rises  in  the  air — not  leaning  forward,  twisted  over 
on  the  near  side,  like  a  popular  spirited  and  absurd  pict- 
ure ("First  at  the  Fence"),  which  really  shows  'how 
not  to  do  it;'  the  snaffle-reins  held  in  both  hands,  at  a 
length  that  will  enable  the  horse  fully  to  extend  him- 
self, and  the  rider  to  bear  on  his  mouth  as  she  bends 
back  over  his  croup  when  he  is  landing.  All  this  time 
her  eyes  should  be  looking  between  the  horse's  ears,  so 
as  to  keep  perfectly  square  in  the  saddle." 

If  the  reader  carries  out  the  instruction  already  given 
with  care,  and  exercises  good  sense  and  judgment,  it  is 
very  unlikely  that  she  will  have  a  fall.  Should  this 
happen,  however,  there  are  two  things  to  be  remem- 
bered, first  to  get  instantly  away  from  the  horse  by 
scrambling  or  rolling,  and  secondly  to  keep  hold  of  the 
reins.  In  any  event,  the  timid  may  be  reassured  by 
reflecting  that  a  fall  is  usually  without  any  serious  re- 
sult, it  being  by  no  means  as  dangerous  to  come  down 
with  the  horse  as  to  be  thrown  from  him. 


132  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 


PART   IV. 

BUYING  A   SADDLE-HORSE. 

The  opening  of  the  horse-market  is  not  announced 
to  ladies  by  cards  of  invitation,  though  such  an  innova- 
tion on  the  old-fashioned  methods  might  prove  a  great 
success  in  the  hands  of  a  skilful  dealer.  Nevertheless,  as 
soon  as  spring  opens,  all  over  the  United  States,  ladies  are 
''shopping"  for  horses,  but  by  no  means  in  their  usual 
jaunty  and  self-confident  way,  for  their  eyes,  which  do 
them  such  good  service  at  the  silk  or  lace  counter,  take 
on  a  timid  and  hesitating  expression  in  the  presence  of 
this  unwonted  problem.  The  acquisition  of  a  saddle- 
horse  by  a  young  girl  is  usually  a  long  and  complicated 
operation,  in  the  course  of  which  her  hopes  are  alter- 
nately raised  and  depressed  day  by  day,  to  be  at  last 
very  likely  disappointed  altogether.  It  often  begins  at 
breakfast- time,  somewhat  in  the  following  fashion  : 
"Dear  papa,  don't  you  think  I  might  have  a  saddle- 
horse  this  season  ?    Eleanor  B 's  uncle  has  given  her 

a  beauty,  and  we  could  ride  together ;  and  you  know 
that  is  just  the  sort  of  exercise  the  doctor  said  would  be 
good  for  me."     The  father  hesitates,  and  few  fathers 


BUYING    A    SADDLE-HORSE.  133 

there  are  who  do  not  in  their  hearts  long  to  grant  the 
request ;  but  he  is  a  very  busy  man,  and  does  not  feel 
as  if  he  could  take  any  more  cares  upon  his  shoulders; 
and  very  likely  he  knows  little  about  horses,  and  really 
has  not  the  slightest  idea  how  to  set  about  such  a  pur- 
chase;  and  his  mind  misgives  him  as  he  remembers 
what  he  has  heard  of  the  tricks  of  dealers.  So  he  says, 
"  Oh,  my  dear,  I  don't  see  how  we  can  manage  it.  "We 
should  be  cheated,  to  begin  with,  and  pay  twice  as  much 
as  he  is  worth,  and  he  would  run  away  and  throw  you 
off;  and  then  he  would  be  always  sick,  and  finally  fall 
lame,  and  would  have  to  be  given  away  before  the  sea- 
son is  over."  This  is  the  critical  point  of  this  part  of 
the  little  family  transaction,  and  if  the  daughter  has 
nothing  more  convincing  to  offer  in  reply  than  some 
vague  statement  that  she  is- sure  she  sees  plenty  of  good 
horses  in  the  street,  and  that  she  does  not  see  why  her 
horse  should  be  sick  any  more  than  any  one  else's,  and 
that  there  must  be  plenty  of  good  men  to  take  care  of 
him  to  be  had  at  low  wages,  then  probably  her  case  is 
lost.  But  suppose  that  she  replies :  "  Oh  yes,  papa,  I 
know  a  horse  that  will  do  nicely  and  can't  be  sickly  for 
he  has  worked  all  summer  and  not  lost  a  clay  and  he  is 
eight  years  old  and  so  has  eaten  all  his  wild  oats  by 
this  time  and  he  isn't  a  very  pretty  color  but  then  we 
can  buy  him  cheaper  for  that  reason  and  I  don't  care 
so  much  for  color  as  I  do  for  shape  and  he  is  very  well 
formed  indeed   his  legs  and  feet  are  excellent  and  he 


134  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

has  a  broad  shoulder  and  a  pretty  neck  and  head  and 
we  gave  him  a  long  drive  the  other  day  and  he  never 
missed  a  step  and  he  isn't  afraid  of  anything  and  I 
drove  him  fast  up  a  steep  hill  and  jumped  out  at  the 
top  to  give  him  a  bunch  of  clover  and  took  the  oppor- 
tunity to  listen  to  his  breathing  and  to  feel  his  pulse 
and  there  is  nothing  the  matter  with  his  heart  or  wind 
I  assure  you  and  I  will  promise  to  go  to  the  stable  once  a 
day  to  see  him."  Then  the  chances  are  that,  after  laugh- 
ing at  the  long  sentence  without  a  stop,  and  telling  her 
she  is  a  runaway  filly  herself,  papa  will  say,  "  Well,  sup- 
pose we  take  a  look  at  this  wonderful  animal ;  we  are 
not  obliged  to  buy  him,  you  know,  unless  we  please, 
and  I  don't  say  what  I  may  decide  finally,"  and  her  case 
is  won.  To  be  able,  however,  to  make  the  reply  above 
supposed,  simple  as  it  sounds,  indicates  a  very  unusual 
amount  of  observation  for  a  young  girl. 

There  are  many  ladies  who  can  at  a  glance  tell  real 
point  lace  from  artificial,  be  the  imitation  never  so  good  ; 
but  there  are  comparatively  few  who  know  the  points 
of  a  horse,  or  can  detect  any  but  the  most  glaring  de- 
fects or  blemishes.  The  reason  is  simply  want  of  prac- 
tice, for  the  difference  between  the  well-made  and  the 
ill-made  horse,  or  between  the  sound  animal  and  the 
spavined  or  foundered  one,  is  far  greater  than  that  be- 
tween the  two  pieces  of  lace  above  mentioned,  which  to 
most  masculine  eyes  would  appear  exactly  alike.  With 
her  superior  delicacy  of  observation  and  quickness  of 


BUYING    A    SADDLE-HORSE.  135 

perception,  a  woman  ought  to  be,  other  things  supposed 
equal,  a  better  judge  of  horses  than  a  man,  and  there 
must  surely  be  a  great  many  who,  if  they  really  believed 
this,  would  think  it  worth  their  while  to  master  the 
small  vocabulary  of  technical  terms  in  which  the  infor- 
mation they  require  is  always  couched,  and  such  would 
speedily  find  their  reward  in  the  opening  of  a  new  and 
interesting  field  of  research.  To  begin  with,  how  few 
ladies  so  much  as  know  the  names  of  the  different  parts 
of  the  animal !  Head,  legs,  and  body,  eyes,  ears,  and 
tail,  are  about  all  the  words  in  the  feminine  dictionary 
of  horse  lore,  and  whether  the  pasterns  are  not  a  disease 
of  colts,  the  coronet  a  part  of  a  bridle,  and  the  frog  a 
swelling  in  the  throat,  my  lady  knoweth  not.  A  half- 
hour,  however,  given  to  the  illustration  on  the  follow- 
ing page,  will  remove  once  for  all  this  preliminary  diffi- 
culty, and  will  open  the  way  to  a  consideration  of  the 
proper  form  and  motion  of  the  parts  of  which  the 
names  are  here  given  : 

PARTS  AND  "POINTS"  OF  THE  HOP^SE,  ALPHABETICALLY  ARRANGED. 

Arm,  or  True  Arm  (8,  8). — Extends  from  the  point  of  the  shoul- 
der (29)  to  the  elbow  (10).     It  should  be  long. 

Back. — This  is  one  of  the  four  parts  which,  according  to  Arab 
saying,  should  be  short. 

Back  Sinew. — The  powerful  muscle  back  of  the  cannon-bone.  It 
should  be  free  from  contact  with  the  bone. 

Barrel,  or  Chest.— Should  be  roomy,  as  not  only  the  lungs,  but  all 
the  organs  of  digestion,  are  contained  in  it. 


136 


HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 


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— 

O 

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c 
m 

H 

es 


BUYING    A    SADDLE-HORSE.  137 

Belly. — This  is  one  of  the  four  parts  which  the  Arab  proverb  says 
must  be  long. 

Breast,  or  Bosom. — Should  be  deep,  but  not  too  broad,  or  speed 
will  be  diminished. 

Cannon-bone  (11). — The  strong  oval  bone  stretching  between  the 
knee  and  fetlock-joint  in  the  fore-leg,  and  between  the  hock  and 
fetlock-joint  in  the  hind-leg. 

Chin  Groove. — The  place  just  above  the  swell  of  the  lower  lip,  in 
which  the  curb-chain  should  lie. 

Coronet  (14). — A  cartilaginous  band  encircling  the  top  of  the  hoof. 

Crest. — The  upper  part  of  the  back  of  the  neck. 

Croup  (18).— Strictly  speaking,  the  upper  part  of  hind-quarters 
between  hip  and  tail,  but  in  a  general  way  taken  for  that  part  of  the 
body  back  of  the  saddle. 

Curb-place  (29). — A  part  of  the  hind-leg,  six  or  eight  inches  below 
the  point  of  the  hock,  where  "curbs,"  or  enlargement  of  the  back 
sinew  resulting  from  strain,  are  to  be  looked  for. 

Ear. — Neither  too  long  nor  very  short. 

Elboic  (10). — Should  not  be  nearly  under  the  point  of  the  shoulder, 
but  considerably  back  of  it,  and  should  neither  be  turned  out  nor 
pressed  against  the  ribs. 

Eye. — Should  be  clear  and  full,  and  of  a  gentle  expression. 

Fetlock. — The  tuft  of  hair  at  the  back  of  the  pastern- joint.  When 
thick  and  coarse  it  indicates  common  blood. 

Fetlock-joint  (12).— Is  between  the  shank  and  the  pastern,  and  is 
the  same  as  pastern-joint. 

Flank  (22). 

Forearm  (9).— Should  be  loug  and  muscular. 

Forehead. — The  broader,  the  more  sense  and  courage.  The  aver- 
age of  six  thorough-bred  English  horses  was  nine  and  a  half  inches. 

Frog. — The  triangular  piece  in  centre  of  bottom  of  hoof. 

Gaskin,  or  Lower  Thigh  (23). — Should  be  strong  and  long,  reach- 
ing well  down.  Measured  from  the  stifle-joint  to  the  point  of  hock 
should  be  twenty-eight  inches  in  a  well-bred  horse  of  fifteen  hands 
and  three-quarters. 


138  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

Girth  (30,  30). — Gives  approximately  the  capacity  of  the  lungs. 

Heel. — Should  not  to  be  too  high  or  contracted,  that  is,  drawn  to- 
gether. 

Hip. — Should  be  broad,  with  powerful  muscles. 

Hip-joint  (20). — Is  not  always  easily  discovered  by  an  amateur. 

Hock  (25). — One  of  the  most  important  of  the  points  of  the  horse; 
should  be  large,  clean — that  is,  without  any  rough  protuberances  on 
the  bone — flat,  and  "  with  a  good  clean  point  standing  clear  of  the 
rest  of  the  joint." 

Hoof. — Deep,  like  a  cup;  not  flat,  like  a  saucer, 

Jaw. — Should  be  wide  up  toward  the  socket,  to  give  room  for 
windpipe,  and  permit  of  a  graceful  carriage  of  head. 

Knee. — Can  hardly  be  too  large.  Looked  at  from  in  front,  should 
appear  much  wider  than  the  leg,  and  should  stretch  out  backward 
into  a  sharp  edge,  called  the  pisiform-bone. 

Loins  (17). — Broad,  muscular,  and  arched  slightly  upward. 

Lower  Thigh,— See  "  Gaskin  "  (23). 

Mane. — When  thick  and  coarse,  indicates  inferior  blood. 

Muzzle  (4). — Should  be  small,  but  with  large  nostril.  A  coarse 
muzzle  indicates  low  breeding. 

Nostril. — Open  and  prominent. 

Pastern  (13). — The  short  oblique  bone  between  the  fetlock  and 
hoof.  Should  not  be  straighter  than  sixty,  nor  lower  than  forty-five 
degrees  to  the  ground. 

Pastern-joint  (12). — Same  as  fetlock- joint. 

Pisiform-bone  (16). — At  the  back  of  the  knee. 

Point  of  the  Hock  (26). 

Point  of  the  Shoulder  (29). — The  lower  end  of  the  shoulder-blade, 
to  which  is  jointed  the  true  arm. 

Poll.— The  top  of  the  head. 

Quarters  (21).— Should  be  muscular. 

Bibs. — Should  be  well  arched,  and  come  up  close  to  the  hip. 

Shoulder  (7,  7). — Should  be  long  and  oblique. 

Spavin  Place  (27). — Should  be  free  from  bony  enlargement. 

Stifle-joint  (24). — Corresponds  to  the  human  knee. 


BUYING   A    SADDLE-HORSE.  139 

Tail. — Not  set  on  too  high,  but  yet  carried  gracefully. 

Thigh,  or  True  Thigh. — Reaches  from  hip-joint  to  stifle.  Should 
be  long  to  give  speed. 

Thrapple,  or  Throttle  (5).— Upper  part  of  throat. 

True  Arm  (8,  8).— See  "Arm."  To  a  careless  observer  it  appears 
to  form  part  of  the  shoulder. 

Withers  (6). — It  is  the  height  of  the  withers  which  gives  the  height 
of  the  horse. 

To  be  a  "  good  judge  of  a  horse"  is  indeed  an  accom- 
plishment as  rare  as  it  is  desirable  ;  but  while  it  cannot 
be  taught  by  word  of  mouth  or  pen,  yet  a  few  princi- 
ples may  be  acquired  which  will  be  of  great  assistance 
in  cultivating  the  eye.  Even  if  the  judgment  be  never 
so  thoroughly  formed  as  to  be  a  safe  guide  unaided  in 
purchasing,  yet  a  great  deal  of  pleasure  may  be  derived 
from  noting  the  comparative  excellences  of  the  really 
fine  horses  constantly  to  be  seen  in  this  country  ;  and 
there  is  no  reason  in  the  world  why  a  lady's  opinion  on 
this  subject  should  continue  to  weigh  as  little  as  it  has 
generally  done  hitherto.  A  graceful  neck  and  an  air  of 
spirit  usually  win  the  feminine  suffrages,  yet  often  co- 
exist with  a  long  back,  spindle-shanks,  and  a  chest  both 
shallow  and  narrow.  Nevertheless,  a  good  neck  is  an 
excellent  thing,  and  so  is  a  small  head,  especially  if  it 
have  a  wide  forehead  ;  but  next  look  to  see  if  there  is 
also  (to  use  a  horsey  expression),  "a  short  back  and  a 
long  belly,"  a  deep  chest,  a  sloping  shoulder,  and  legs 
broad  and  long  above  the  knee  and  hock,  but  broad  and 
short  below. 


140  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR   WOMEN. 

The  Arabs  have  a  proverb  that  "  there  should  be  four 
points  of. a  horse  long,  four  short,  and  four  broad."  The 
long  are  the  neck, the  forearm,  the  thigh, and  the  belly; 
the  short  are  the  back,  the  pastern,  the  tail,  and  the  ear; 
the  broad  are  the  forehead,  the  chest,  the  croup,  and  the 
limbs.  The  head  should  be  small  and  bony  ;  that  of 
an  English  thorough-bred  of  fifteen  and  three-quarter 
hands  will  measure  twenty-two  to  twenty-four  inches  in 
length,  with  the  forehead  eight  to  ten  inches  broad,  the 
face  dishing  below  the  eyes.  The  withers  should  be 
high,  the  shoulder  as  broad  as  possible — not  fleshy,  but 
bony — and  lying  at  an  angle  of  about  forty-five  degrees. 
The  chest  should  be  broad  and  deep,  to  give  room  for 
lungs  and  heart.  The  knees  should  be  broad,  the  hoofs 
large,  and  not  flat,  but  deep. 

The  reasons  for  some  of  the  above  recommendations 
may  be  made  clearer  by  a  rough  comparison  between 
the  frame  of  the  horse  and  that  of  man.  For  instance, 
the  shoulder  of  the  former,  from  the  withers  to  its  for- 
ward point  at  the  joint,  is  equivalent  to  the  shoulder- 
blade  and  collar-bone  of  the  latter,  and  a  broad  shoulder 
is  as  sure  an  indication  of  strength  in  the  one  as  in  the 
other.  If  the  horse  is  "short  above  and  long  below,"  it 
gives  him  a  carriage  similar  to  that  of  a  man  with  a 
full,  broad  chest,  who  holds  his  head  high  and  his  shoul- 
ders back. 

The  knee  of  the  horse  corresponds  to  the  human 
wrist,  and  his  hock,ov  "  back  knee,"  as  the  children  call 


BUYING    A    SADDLE-HORSE.  141 

it,  to  our  heel.  The  shank  of  the  fore-leg,  then,  or  the 
part  between  the  knee  and  fetlock,  corresponds  to  the 
hand,  and  the  hoof  and  pastern  to  the  fingers;  while 
the  shank  of  the  hind-leg,  or  the  part  between  hock  and 
fetlock,  corresponds  to  our  foot,  the  hoof  and  pastern 
being  the  toes.  The  horse  may  thus  be  said  to  walk 
upon  the  tips  ui  his  fingers  and  toes,  and  it  will  readily 
be  seen  why  the  leg  weakens  in  proportion  as  the  pas- 
tern and  shank  lengthen.  The  arm  proper  of  the  horse 
is  very  short  and  almost  concealed  from  view,  reaching 
from  the  forward  point  of  the  shoulder  to  the  elbow, 
which  is  close  against  the  side. 

The  more  oblique  the  shoulder,  the  greater  the  power 
of  this  arm  to  throw  the  forearm  forward,  so  as  to  sup- 
port the  body  in  the  gallop,  and  in  coming  down  from 
a  leap.  A  straight  shoulder  is  adapted  for  pulling  loads, 
but  is  not  fit  for  the  saddle,  except  upon  level  roads,  be- 
coming positively  dangerous  in  broken  ground.  The 
two  upper  members  of  the  hind-leg,  reaching  from  the 
hip  to  the  hock,  are  together  commonly  called  the  thigh, 
as  the  thigh  proper,  which  stretches  from  the  hip  to  the 
stifle-joint,  is  very  short  and  almost  concealed  from  ob- 
servation. The  stifle -joint,  which  corresponds  to  our 
knee,  lies  close  against  the  flank.  Read  the  descrip- 
tion, to  some  extent  traditional,  of  the  wonderful  mare 
Swallow,  in  Kingsley's  "  Hereward  the  Wake."  She  was 
evidently  not  from  Arab  stock,  with  her  big  ugly  head  ; 
but  horses  —  like  men  and  women — of  extraordinary 


142  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

strength,  and  beauty  too,  are  sometimes  happened  upon 
in  the  most  unlikely  places.  Indeed,  in  many  an  un- 
graceful form  there  is  stored  up  an  amount  of  vital  en- 
ergy which  explains  the  saying  that  one  can  find  "  good 
horses  of  all  shapes."  Nevertheless,  the  presumption  is 
always  in  favor  of  the  well-shaped  animal,  and  the  ac- 
knowledged type  of  equine  beauty  is  the  English  thor- 
ough-bred. This  is  of  pure  Arab  blood,  but  so  improved 
by  many  generations  of  careful  breeding  and  training 
that  it  now  excels  not  only  all  other  European  and  Ori- 
ental races  but  the  modern  Arab  himself,  that  is  consid- 
ered to  be,  weight  for  weight,  twenty  -  live  per  cent, 
stronger  than  other  breeds.  One  invariable  mark  of 
Arab  blood,  by-the-bye,  is  a  high  and  graceful  carriage  of 
the  tail.  The  eye  should  be  kind  and  quiet,  that  of  an 
Arab  very  gentle,  even  sleep}7,  when  at  rest,  but  full  of 
fire  and  animation  when  in  motion. 

"  The  relative  proportions  of  and  exact  shape  desira- 
ble in  each  of  the  points  described  varies  considerably 
in  the  several  breeds.  Thus,  when  speed  and  activity 
are  essential,  an  oblique  shoulder-blade  is  a  sine  qua  non, 
while  for  heavy  harness  it  can  hardly  be  too  upright. 
There  are  some  elements,  however,  which  are  wanted  in 
any  horse,  such  as  big  hocks  and  knees,  flat  legs  ivith  large 
sinews,  open  jaws  (that  is,  with  the  lower  jaw-bones  wide 
apart),  and  full  nostrils." 

It  is  well,  after  taking  a  general  look  at  a  horse  and 
getting  an  impression  of  him  as  a  whole,  to  divide  him 


BUYING   A    SADDLE-HORSE.  143 

up  mentally  into  sections,  and  examine  these  in  detail 
one  after  the  other.  Taking  first  the  head,  which  should 
be  bony,  not  fleshy,  remember  that  the  more  brain  the 
more  "  horse  sense."  Next  look  at  the  neck,  which 
should  be  neither  too  thick  nor  too  long,  but  connecting 
head  and  shoulders  by  a  graceful  sweep.  Then  the  fore- 
quarters,  observing  that  the  shoulder-blade  and  true  arm 
are  both  long,  well  supplied  though  not  loaded  with 
muscle,  and  join  each  other  at  the  point  of  the  shoul- 
der at  a  rather  sharp  angle.  Then  the  "  middle-piece," 
which  should  be  rounded  in  the  barrel,  arched  slightly 
in  the  loin,  "short  above  and  long  below,v  and  well 
ribbed  up  towards  the  hip.  Next  the  hind-quarters,  then 
the  legs,  knees,  hocks,  and  feet,  observing  that  the  knees 
are  firm,  the  cannon  -  bones  and  pastern  are  flat  and 
strong,  and  that  the  back  sinew  is  strong  and  stands  free 
from  the  bone. 

Now  have  the  horse  set  in  motion,  and  observe  him 
first  from  one  side,  then  from  the  other,  and  then  from 
behind,  noting  the  carriage  and  movements  of  the  differ- 
ent parts  in  the  order  above  given.  This  examination 
is  practically  the  more  important  of  the  two. 

Let  no  one  suppose  that  mere  verbal  instruction,  how- 
ever judicious  and  elaborate,  will,  without  practice,  make 
a  good  judge  of  horse-flesh  any  more  than  it  will  of  Brus- 
sels point-lace.  All  it  is  here  intended  to  do  is  to  aid 
in  training  the  eye,  which  must  be  constantly  exercised 
upon  whatever  specimens  may  come  before  it,  compar- 


144  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR   WOMEN. 

ing  them  mentally  with  one  another,  and  noting  their 
defects  and  qualities  whether  of  form  or  of  motion.  It 
will  soon  be  found  that  such  observations,  particularly 
when  relating  to  the  motions  of  the  horse,  have  a  fas- 
cination peculiarly  their  own,  and  open  a  new  and  wide 
field  of  amusement. 

In  examining  a  horse  a  lady  cannot  of  course  usually 
make  the  thorough  inspection  personally  which  would 
be  necessary  to  warrant  his  limbs  and  wind  perfectly 
sound,  but  she  can,  by  taking  a  little  time  to  it,  form 
an  opinion  which  will  be  very  nearly  correct.  She 
should  first  master  the  vocabulary  at  the  end  of  this 
chapter,  which  will  give  her  an  idea  what  defects  to  be 
on  the  lookout  for,  and  just  where  to  seek  for  them  ; 
and  she  should  cultivate  her  eye  at  every  opportunity 
by  scanning  critically  every  horse  she  sees — or,  to  be 
more  moderate,  say  one  or  two  a  day — endeavoring  to 
detect  a  "  spavin  "  or  "  curb,"  or  what  not,  which  the 
owner  does  not  suspect  or  perhaps  shuts  his  eyes  to. 
Then,  when  a  horse  is  brought  up  for  her  approval,  let 
her  take  her  own  time,  refuse  to  be  hurried  or  hum- 
bugged, but,  as  already  suggested,  look  him  over  from 
all  sides,  at  rest  and  in  motion,  and  finally  get  him 
on  trial  for  a  week.  This  last  precaution  is  the  most 
valuable  of  all,  and  worth,  as  "  Stonehenge"  says,  ten 
per  cent,  on  the  price  of  the  animal,  and  it  can  very 
often  be  obtained  by  the  simple  offer  of  paying  for  his 
services  in  case  he  is  not  purchased  ;   indeed,  some  of 


BUYIXG   A    SADDLE-HORSE.  145 

the  most  successful  New  York  City  dealers  grant  this 
privilege  to  any  responsible  customer  as  a  matter  of 
course.  To  return  to  our  inspection  :  First  take  a  side 
view  from  a  little  distance,  observing  that  he  stands 
perpendicularly  on  all  four  legs,  bearing  equal  weight 
on  each ;  any  "  pointing,"  or  putting  forward  of  a  fore- 
foot to  relieve  it  of  its  share  of  weight,  being  indicative 
of  tenderness  if  not  lameness.  Notice  the  size,  shape, 
and  relative  proportion  of  the  different  parts,  and  scru- 
tinize them  carefully  for  swellings,  or  for  weakened  or 
deformed  joints.  Then  do  the  same  from  before,  then 
from  behind.  Now  have  him  led  past  you,  first  at  a 
walk,  then  at  a  slow  trot,  insisting  that  the  groom  shall 
not  take  him  by  the  headstall,  but  by  the  end  of  the 
halter,  so  as  to  leave  him  free  to  nod  his  head  if  he 
pleases.  Now  have  him  saddled  and  bridled,  and  all 
his  paces  shown,  finishing  with  a  smart  gallop  long 
enough  to  sweat  him  well,  after  which  listen  carefully 
to  his  breathing,  which  should  be  noiseless ;  observe 
that  the  heaving  of  the  flanks  is  regular  and  not  spas- 
modic, and  that  the  beating  of  the  heart  is  not  violent 
or  irregular.  During  vour  week  of  trial  take  some  dis- 
interested  person  with  you  to  serve  as  witness  in  case 
of  accident  or  misconduct,  and  work  the  horse  hard  ev- 
ery day,  so  as  to  be  sure  that  he  does  not  lose  his  ap- 
petite when  fatigued,  but  being  careful  not  to  injure 
his  feet  by  galloping  on  hard  roads,  or  to  let  him  slip 
or  strain  himself  in  any  way.  Remember  the  oft-quoted 
10 


146 


HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    "WOMEN. 


words  of  the  English  stable-man:  "It  ain't  the  speed 
that  'urts  the  'orse  ;  it's  the  'ammer,  'ammer,  'ammer  on 
the  'ard  'igh-road."  After  your  first  ride,  leave  the 
saddle  on  for  twenty  minutes  with  the  girths  slackened, 


'     !    :U_ 


THE    SORT    OF   HORSE    TO   BUY. 


and  next  morning,  before  putting  it  on  again,  examine 
the  back  carefully  for  any  soreness  or  puffy  spot,  and  if 
such  exist,  abstain  from  riding  until  it  has  quite  disap- 
peared, for  a  day  of  patience  now  is  better  than  a  week 


BUYING    A   SADDLE-HORSE.  147 

after  a  saddle-gall  has  become  fairly  established.  The 
saddle,  of  course,  should  fit  the  horse  well,  and  there 
should  always  be  a  free  space  along  above  the  backbone 
and  withers. 

The  cut  on  the  preceding  page  shows  a  saddle-horse 
of  the  very  best  form  for  a  lady's  use. 

The  color  of  a  horse  is  an  important  factor  in  the 
price,  except  in  the  case  of  animals  of  extraordinary 
qualities;  and  although  different  persons  have  their 
special  preferences,  yet  probably  the  order  of  the  fol- 
lowing list  will  give  the  average  taste  of  the  horse-buy- 
ing public : 

1.  Blood  bay  with  black  points;  that  is,  with  mane, 
tail,  and  legs  from  the  knee  downward  black. 

2.  Rich  chestnut. 

3.  Rich  brown. 

4.  Common  bay  with  black  points. 

5.  Common  chestnut. 

6.  Dark  dapple  gray. 

7.  Full  black. 

8.  Light  bay  with  brown  legs. 

9.  White. 

10.  Common  gray. 

11.  Brownish-black. 

12.  Sorrel. 

When  your  decision  is  finally  made,  obtain  (from  the 
person  selling)  a  warranty,  which  had  better  be  written 
upon  the  bill  itself,  giving  the  height,  age,  and  color  of 


148  HORSEMANSHIP   FOR   WOMEN. 

the  horse,  and  stating  that  he  is  sound,  kind,  goes  well 
under  the  saddle  and  in  single  or  double  harness,  and  is 
afraid  of  nothing. 

The  vices  which  in  the  eye  of  the  law  make  a  horse 
returnable  are  Biting,  Cribbing,  Kicking,  Rearing  when 
dangerous,  and  Shying  when  dangerous. 

In  estimating  the  height  of  a  horse  it  is  convenient 
to  remember  that  fifteen  hands  make  exactly  five  feet 
— a  "  hand  "  being  four  inches,  or  a  third  of  a  foot. 

To  aid  the  inexperienced  we  give  a  cut  showing  a 
horse,  originally  of  high  spirit  but  faulty  organization, 
broken  down  by  ill  usage,  and  also  append  a  list  of  the 
various  defects  and  ailments  which  every  horse-owner 
ought  to  know  something  about. 

LIST   OF   DISEASES    AND    DEFECTS. 

[Those  printed  in  small  capitals  constitute  Unsoundness  in  the  eye  of  the  law.] 

Acclimation. — Horses  removed  from  one  part  of  the  country  to 
another  have  usually  a  period  of  indisposition,  often  of  severe  ill- 
ness, and  always  for  some  time  require  more  than  ordinary  care.  It 
is  well,  therefore,  not  to  buy  a  Western  horse  in  the  Atlantic  States 
until  he  has  been  at  least  a  month  in  his  new  surroundings. 

Apoplexy. — Sometimes  called  "sleepy  staggers."  Begins  with 
drowsiness,  passing  into  insensibility,  with  snoring  respiration,  and 
ending  in  death. 

Blindness. — Often  comes  on  gradually.  Eyes  of  a  bluish-black 
are  thought  suspicious,  as  is  inflammation  of  ball  or  lid,  or  cloudi- 
ness of  pupil. 

Blind  Staggers. — See  "Megrims "and  "Staggers." 

Bog-spavin. — A  soft  swelling  on  the  inner  side  of  the  hock-joint 
towards  the  front.     It  is  caused  by  the  formation  of  a  sac  contain- 


BUYING    A    SADDLE-HORSE. 


149 


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150  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

ing  synovial  fluid  which  has  oozed  out  of  the  joint.  The  result 
usually  of  brutality.     Incurable. 

Blood-spavin. — A  swelling  in  nearly  the  same  place  caused  by 
an  aneurism  or  sac  of  arterial  blood.     Incurable.     Very  rare. 

Bone-spavin. — A  swelling  caused  by  a  bony  growth  on  the  in- 
side of  the  hock -joint  towards  the  front.  It  produces  lameness, 
which  sometimes  passes  off  temporarily  after  a  few  minutes'  work. 
Sometimes  curable.     This  is  what  is  usually  meant  by  spavin. 

Bots. — Caused  by  the  larvae  of  the  bot-fly,  which  cling  to  the  lining 
of  the  stomach  by  their  two  hooks  till  after  several  months  they 
reach  maturity  and  pass  out  with  the  droppings.  They  seem  to  do 
little  harm,  and  should  be  left  alone,  as  they  cannot  be  destroyed  by 
any  medicine  safe  for  a  horse  to  take. 

Breaking  Down. — A  rupture  of  the  tendons  of  the  leg  causing 
the  fetlock-joint  to  give  way  downward.     Incurable. 

Broken  Knee. — Indicated  by  white  or  bare  spots,  showing  that  the 
horse  has  been  down,  and  is  presumably  a  stumbler. 

Broken  Wind. — Accompanied  by  a  husky  cough,  and  indicated 
by  heaving  flanks  and  forcible  double  respiration  after  exercise. 
Incurable. 

Capped  Hock. — A  soft  movable  swelling  on  point  of  hock,  caused 
by  a  bruise,  usually  got  in  kicking. 

Cataract. — Opacity  of  the  crystalline  lens  of  the  eye. 

Chapped  Heels. — Always  the  result  of  neglect,  Often  accom- 
panied by  fever  and  constitutional  disturbance. 

Cold. — Shown  by  dulness,  rough  coat,  loss  of  appetite,  tears  and 
running  at  the  nose.    Give  soft  food  and  nurse  well  without  exercise. 

Colic. — Distinguished  from  inflammation  of  the  bowels  by  inter- 
vals of  quiet  between  the  spasms,  and  by  the  fact  that  the  horse 
will  strike  his  belly  violently  in  the  hope  of  relief.  Give  first  a 
warm  injection,  to  remove  any  obstruction  in  lower  bowel,  and  then 
administer  stimulants. 

Contracted  Heels. — Often  caused  by  improper  shoeing,  but  often 
natural,  and  in  this  case  producing  no  ill  result. 

Corns. — Do  not  at  all  resemble  human  corns.     A  corn  is  a  red- 


BUYING    A    SADDLE-HORSE.  151 

dish  and  very  sensitive  spot  in  the  sole  of  the  foot  under  the  shoe, 
caused  by  a  rupture  of  the  delicate  blood  -  vessels,  resulting  in  an 
abnormal  fungoid  growth. 

Costiveness. — May  bring  on  "blind  staggers"  in  a  horse  inclined 
to  this  disease.  ISTo  horse  should  be  hurried  when  first  taken  out 
till  his  bowels  have  been  moved. 

Cough. — Constitutes  unsoundness  while  it  lasts.  Caused  by  foul 
air,  dusty  food,  irregular  work.  Crush  the  oats,  damp  the  hay,  and 
give  linseed  tea  for  drink. 

Cribbing,  or  Crib-biting. — Is  sometimes  considered  a  vice,  but 
is  doubtless  a  result  of  indigestion.  The  horse  lays  hold  of  the 
manger  with  his  teeth,  straightens  his  neck,  sucks  wind  into  his 
stomach,  and  ejects  gas.  Probably  some  alkali,  say  lime-water  or 
baking  soda,  would  be  beneficial. 

Curb. — A  soft,  painful  swelling  on  the  back  of  the  hind-leg  six 
or  eight  inches  below  the  hock.     See  illustration. 

Cutting. — See  "Interfering"  and  "Speedy  Cut." 

Discharge  from  Nostril. — Is  usually  caused  by  a  simple  cold,  but 
may  be  a  symptom  of  the  contagious  and  incurable  disease  glan- 
ders, and  proximity  to  it  should  therefore  be  carefully  avoided. 

Distemper. — A  disease  of  young  horses,  occurring  once  only.  See 
"  Strangles." 

Ewe  Neck. — Carries  the  head  high  and  nearly  in  a  horizontal  posi- 
tion, so  that  the  bit  has  not  a  proper  bearing  on  the  "bars,"  but  is 
inclined  to  slip  back  towards  the  grinders. 

Farcy. — An  incurable  and  contagious  disease,  caused  by  blood- 
poisoning,  and  indicated  by  sores  usually  on  inside  of  thigh,  or  on 
neck  and  hips.  As  it  is  communicable  to  human  beings,  every 
farcied  horse  should  be  immediately  killed.  It  is  well  to  avoid  all 
approach  to  horses  having  sores  of  any  kind.     See  "  Glanders." 

Filled  Legs. — A  swelled  condition  of  the  lower  parts,  usually  caused 
by  want  of  exercise,  and  relieved  by  bandaging  and  rubbing. 

Fistula  of  the  Withers. — An  abscess  among  the  muscles  over  the 
shoulder-blades,  usually  caused  by  pressure  of  saddle  upon  the  bony 
ridge  of  back.     Requires  surgical  operation. 


152  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

Forging. — See  "  Overreaching." 

Founder,  or  Fever  in  the  Feet. — An  inflammation  of  the 
parts  between  the  crust  of  the  foot  and  the  pedal-bone,  including 
the  lamince,  which  cease  to  secrete  horn.  It  is  caused  sometimes  by 
hard  roads,  and  sometimes  by  eating  or  drinking  or  standing  in  a 
draught  of  air  when  heated.  This  name  is  commonly  applied  to 
any  rheumatic  lameness  of  the  fore -feet  or  legs  brought  on  as 
above,  whether  its  seat  be  the  feet,  the  tendons  of  the  legs,  or  the 
muscles  of  the  breast,  in  which  last  case  it  is  called  "chest-founder." 
The  treatment,  which  is  only  palliative,  is  hot  bathing  and  friction 
with  liniments. 

Gadfly  Bites. — Often  very  anno}ring.  May  be  prevented  by  wash- 
ing legs  and  flanks  with  a  strong  tea  of  green  elder  bark. 

Galls — from  saddle. — Best  prevented  by  leaving  the  saddle  in 
place  for  twenty  minutes  after  loosening  the  girths.  When  occur- 
ring, however,  should  receive  prompt  attention,  as  they  are  very 
tedious  if  neglected.  Examine  the  back  carefully  after  the  first 
ride  on  a  new  horse,  and  also  before  putting  on  the  saddle  the  next 
day. 

Glanders.— A  disgusting,  contagious,  and  incurable  disease,  the 
chief  symptom  of  which  is  a  discharge  from  one  nostril,  at  first 
transparent,  then  slightly  stick}^,  then  thick  and  yellow.  As  it  is 
highly  contagious  to  human  beings,  in  whom  it  is  equally  dreadful 
and  always  fatal,  a  glandered  horse  should  be  instantly  killed,  as  the 
law  requires.  It  is  well  to  avoid  all  horses  having  any  discharge, 
however  slight,  from  the  nose.  Glanders  may  be  caught  from 
' '  farcy,"  and  vice  versa. 

Grapes.— A  filthy  and  incurable  disease  of  heels  and  pastern, 
caused  by  gross  neglect.     It  is  the  last  stage  of  "grease." 

Grease. — An  aggravated  form  of  "  chapped  heels,"  accompanied 
by  swelling,  fever  and  a  serous  discharge.  Wash  clean  frequently, 
and  anoint  with  Dalley's  salve. 

Gripes.— See  "  Colic." 

Heart  Disease. — May  be  detected  by  auscultation.  Incurable. 
Ends  in  sudden  death. 


BUYING    A    SADDLE-HORSE.  153 

Heaves. — See  "Broken  Wind." 

Hide-bound. — The  skin  appears  too  tight,  and  as  if  fast  to  the 
ribs.  It  is  caused  by  a  disordered  stomach,  and  requires  nourishing 
food. 

Inflammation  of  Boicels. — The  pain  is  continuous,  and  the  horse  is 
careful  not  actually  to  strike  his  belly  with  his  feet.  Requires,  of 
course,  very  different  treatment  from  colic,  but  an  injection  should 
be  the  first  thing  done. 

Interfering. — Striking  the  fetlock- joint  with  the  foot.  Caused 
sometimes  by  weakness  and  fatigue,  but  usually  by  bad  shoeing, 
and  a  good  blacksmith  is  the  best  adviser.  ■ 

Lampas. — A  swelling  of  the  gums,  relieved  by  lancing 

Knee-sprung. — Incurable.     Result  of  overwork. 

Knuckled. — Same  as  "set  over."  A  condition  of  the  fetlock- 
joint  corresponding  to  that  of  the  "sprung  "  knee. 

Laminitis. — The  scientific  name  of  "founder." 

Mad  Staggers. — Violent  insanity,  caused  by  inflammation  of  the 
brain.     The  last  stage  sometimes  of  sleepy  staggers.     Incurable. 

Medlenders. — A  scurvy  patch  at  the  back  of  the  knee,  caused  by 
neglect,  and  not  obstinate. 

Mange. — An  itch  produced  by  a  parasitic  insect. 

Megrims. — A  falling-sickness  like  epilepsy.  It  begins  with  a  lay- 
ing back  of  the  ears  and  shaking  of  the  head ;  is  accompanied  by  con- 
vulsions; and  passes  off  of  itself  in  two  or  three  minutes,  the  horse 
appearing  to  be  none  the  worse.     Often  called  "  Blind  Staggers." 

Navicular  Disease. — An  ulceration  of  the  navicular-joint  in 
the  foot,  causing  lameness;  incurable,  except  by  extirpation  of  the 
nerve. 

Nerved. — A  nerved  horse  has  had  one  of  the  nerves  of  the  foot 
cut  to  remove  the  pain  and  lameness  caused  by  the  "navicular 
disease." 

Ophthalmia. — A  purulent  inflammation  of  the  eye.     Epidemic. 

Organic  Disease  of  the  bony  system  anywhere  constitutes  un- 
soundness. 

Overreeiching.  —  Striking  the  toe  of  the  front-foot  with  the  toe  of  the 
hind-foot;  sometimes  called  "clicking."  Often  remedied  by  shoeing. 


154  HORSEMANSHIP    FOR    WOMEN. 

Poll-evil. — An  abscess  in  the  top  of  the  neck,  near  the  head,  caused 
by  a  blow. 

Pumice  Foot. — Bulging  sole,  weak  crust,  the  result  of  "lamini- 
tis."    Incurable. 

Quarter  Crack. — Occurs  usually  on  the  inside  of  fore-foot.  A  bad 
sign,  as  well  as  very  slow  and  troublesome  to  cure. 

Quidding. — Dropping  the  food  half  chewed  from  the  mouth. 
Indicative  of  sore  throat. 

Quittor. — Burrowing  abscess  in  the  foot. 

Rheumatism. — Cause,  effect,  and  treatment  the  same  as  for  human 
beings. 

Ring-bone.  —  An  enlargement  of  the  bone  by  growth,  a  little 
above  the  coronet. 

Roaring. — Caused  by  a  contraction  of  windpipe.     Incurable. 

Ruptures  of  all  kinds  constitute  unsoundness. 

Saddle-gall. — Swelling  caused  by  chafing  of  saddle.  If  the  skin 
is  broken  it  is  called  a  "  sitfast;"  if  not,  a  "  warble." 

Sallenders.—  Scurvy  patch  in  front  of  hock-joint. 

Sand  Crack. — Occurs  on  the  inside  of  fore-foot  and  on  the  toe  of 
the  hind-foot. 

Scratches. — See  "Chapped  Heels." 

Scouring. — Looseness  of  the  bowels. 

Seedy  Toe. — A  separation  of  the  crust  of  the  hoof  from  the  lami- 
nae, the  result  of  laminitis.     Scarcely  curable. 

Side  -  bone.  —  A  bony  growth  just  above  the  coronet,  causing 
lameness.     Incurable. 

Spavin. — See  "Bone,  Blood,  and  Bog  Spavin." 

Speedy  Cut.  —  A  cut  of  the  knee  from  the  foot  of  opposite  leg. 
Dangerous,  because  the  pain  often  causes  the  horse  to  fall. 

Staggers.— See  "Apoplexy."  "  Sleepy,"  "  Trotting,"  and  "  Mad  " 
Staggers  are  different  forms  and  stages*  of  the  same  disease,  caused 
usually  by  overfeeding. 

Strangles,  or  Colt  Distemper. — A  severe  swelling  of  the  glands  of 
the  throat,  wThich  gathers  and  breaks. 

String-halt  or  Spring-halt. — A  peculiar  snatching  up  of  the 
hind-leg,  caused  by  some  nervous  disorder.     Incurable. 


BUYING    A    SADDLE-HORSE.  155 

Surfeit. — An  eruption  of  round,  blunt  spots,  caused  by  heating 
food. 

Thick  Wind. — Defective  respiration  without  noise.     Incurable. 

Thickening  of  Back  Sinews. — Result  of  strain. 

Thrush. — An  offensive  discharge  from  the  frog,  the  result  of  in- 
flammation, caused  by  want  of  cleanliness  or  overwork,  etc. 

Thorough-pin. — A  sac  of  synovial  fluid  formed  between  the 
bones  of  the  hock  from  side  to  side. 

Warble. — A  saddle-gall  when  simply  swollen  but  not  broken. 

Warts. — Should  be  removed,  as  they  tend  to  spread. 

Whirlbone  Lameness. — Lameness  of  hip  joint. 

Windgalls,  or  Puffs. — Little  oval  swellings  just  above  the  fetlock- 
joint  between  the  back  sinew  and  the  bone. 

Worms. — Sometimes  troublesome,  but  less  so  than  often  supposed. 

Whistling. — Caused  by  a  contraction  of  windpipe.     Incurable. 


INDEX. 


Acclimation,  148. 

Advancing   at   Touch    of   Heel,  41, 

O  7  7 

44. 

Amateur  Horse-training,  1. 
Amble,  28. 
Apoplexy,  148. 
Appel,  28. 

Approaching  a  Fence,  119. 
Arm,  135. 
Arriere-main,  23. 
Avant-main,  28. 

Back,  135. 

Back  Sinew,  135 

Backing,  75,  76. 

Barrel,  or  Chest,  135. 

Bars,  15. 

Belly,  137. 

Bending   the    Xeck    to    Right    and 

Left,  32,  35,  48,  49. 
Biting,  148. 
Blind  Staggers,  148. 
Blindness,  148. 
Blood-spavin,  150. 
Bone-spavin,  150. 
Boring,  150. 
Bots,  150. 
Breaking  Down,  150. 


Breast,  or  Bosom,  137. 
Bridles,  12. 
Bridle-tooth,  15,  18. 
Broken  Knee,  150. 
Buying  a  Saddle-horse,  132. 

Cannon-bone,  137. 

Cantering,  64. 

Capped  Hock,  150. 

Cataract,  150. 

Cavesson,  46. 

Changing  the  Leading  Foot,  66,  79. 

Chapped  Heels,  150. 

Chin  Groove,  15,  29,  137. 

Cold,  150. 

Colic,  150. 

Color,  147. 

Contracted  Heels,  150. 

Corns,  150. 

Coronet,  137. 

Costiveness,  151. 

Cough,  151. 

Crest,  137. 

Cribbing,  148,  151. 

Croup,  38,  137. 

Curb-place,  137. 

Curbs,  151. 

Cuttimr,  151. 


158 


I^UEX. 


Deux  Pistes,  29,  VI. 

Discharge  from  Nostrils,  12,  15. 

Diseases  and  Defects,  148. 

Distemper,  151. 

Dress,  88. 

Duke  of  AVellington,  110. 

Dumb-jockey,  46. 

Ear,  137. 

Elbow,  29,  137. 

Etiquette  in  the  Saddle,  87. 

Ewe  Neck,  151. 

Eye,  137. 

"Falling  Through,"  16. 

Farcy,  151. 

Fetlock,  29,  137. 

Filled  Legs,  151. 

Fistula  of  the  Withers,  151. 

Flank,  137. 

Flexion  of  the  Jaw,  32. 

Flexions  de  la  JIdchoire,  21. 

Flexions  de  VEncolure,  32. 

Flying  Trot,  58. 

Fore-arm,  29,  137. 

Forehand,  38. 

Forehead,  137- 

Forge,  29. 

Forging,  152. 

Founder,  or  Fever  in  the  Feet,  152. 

Frog,  29,  137. 

Gadfly  Bites,  152. 

Galloping,  64. 

Galls,  152. 

Gaskin,  or  Lower  Thigh,  137. 

"  Getting    a   Horse    accustomed    to 

Skirts,"  42. 
Girths,  138. 


Glanders,  152. 

Going  on  Deux  Pistes,  72. 

Grapes,  152. 

Grease,  152. 

Grinders,  29. 

Gripes,  152. 

Groom,  116. 

Guiding  Bridlewise,  55. 

Hand,  29,  104. 
Hand-gallop,  29,  64. 
Heart  Disease,  152. 
Heaves,  153. 
Heel,  138. 
Hide-bound,  153. 
Hip,  138. 
Hock,  29,  138. 

Holding  the  Bit  lightly,  21,  24. 
Hoof,  138. 

Horse-training  is  not  Horse-break- 
ing, 9. 

Interfering,  28,  153. 

Jaw,  138. 
Jog-trot,  58. 

Kicking,  69. 
Knee,  138. 
Knee-sprung,  153. 
Knuckled,  153. 

Laminitis,  153. 

Lampas,  153. 

Leading  with  Left  Fore-foot,  88. 

Leading  with  Right  Fore-foot,  80. 

Leaping,  118. 

Loins,  138. 

Lower  Thigh,  138. 


INDEX. 


159 


Lowering  the  Head,  25,  28. 
Lunging-cord,  46. 

Mad  Staggers,  153. 

Mallenders,  153. 

Mane,  138. 

Manege,  29. 

Mange,  153. 

Megrims,  153. 

Method   of   holding  Reins   in    both 

Hands,  111. 
Methode  (V Equitation,  Baucher,  4. 
Mount,  91. 
Mounting,  92. 
Moving    the    Croup    to    Right    and 

Left,  38,  52. 
Muzzle,  138. 

Navicular  Disease,  153. 
Nerved,  153. 

Nippers,  30. 
Nostrils,  138. 

0>T  the  Road,  107. 
On  which  Side  to  Ride,  100. 
"  One,  Two,  Three,"  95. 
Ophthalmia,  153. 
Ordinary  Pirouette,  71. 
Organic  Disease,  153. 
Overreaching,  153. 

Pace,  30. 

Pacing,  192. 

Parts  and  Points  of  a  Horse,  138. 

Passage,  30,  71,  73,  138. 

Pastern,  30. 

Pastern-joint,  138. 

Piaffer,  30. 

Pirouettes,  30,  71. 


Pisiform-bone,  138. 

Piste,  30,  74. 

Placing  the  Foot  in  the  Stirrup,  96. 

Poll,  30,  138. 

Poll-evil,  154. 

Position  in  Saddle,  97. 

u  Pulling  the  Hands  steadily  Apart," 

33. 
Pulling  the  Right  Rein,  36. 
Pumice  Foot,  154. 
Punishment  in  Case  of  Resistance, 

27. 

Quarter  Crack,  154. 
Quarters,  138. 
Q  uidding^  154. 
Quittor,  154. 

Rack,  30. 

Ramener,  30. 

Rassembler,  30. 

Ready  to  Mount,  94. 

Rearing,  66,  148. 

Reins,  Act  of  Changing,  77. 

Reins  in  Hand,  43,  77. 

Rheumatism,  154. 

Riding  in  Circles,  79. 

Ring-bone,  154. 

Rising  to  the  Leap,  127. 

Roaring,  154. 

Running  Away,  69. 

Ruptures,  154. 

Saddle-gall,  154. 
Saddles,  12,  13. 
Sand  Crack,  154. 
Scouring,  154. 
Scratches,  154. 
Seat,  102,  103. 


160 


INDEX. 


Seedy  Toe,  154. 

Shank,  30. 

Shoulder,  138. 

Shying,  68. 

Side-bone,  154. 

Sidney,  Mr.,  130. 

Single-foot,  30. 

Snaffle,  30. 

Spavins  and  Splints,  30,  138,  154. 

Speedy  Cut,  154. 

Staggers,  154. 

Starting,  99. 

Stifle-joint,  31,  138. 

Stopping    at    Touch    of    Whip    on 

Back,  45. 
Strangles,  154. 
String-halt,  154. 
Style,  50. 
Surcingle,  31. 
Surfeit,  155. 

Tail,  134. 
Thick  Wind,  155. 


Thickening  of  Back  Sinews,  155. 
Thigh,  31,  139. 
Thorough-pin,  155. 
Thrapple,  or  Throttle,  139. 
Throat-latches,  15,  31. 
Thrush,  155. 
Trotting,  58. 
True  Arm,  1 39. 
Turning,  112. 

Vices,  148. 

"  Vieille  Moustache,1'  130. 

Walking,  46,  51. 
Warble,  155. 
Warts,  155. 
Water  Jump,  121. 
Whips,  13. 

Whirlbone  Lameness,  155. 
Whistling,  155. 
Windgalls,  155. 
Withers,  31,  139. 
Worms,  155. 


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